Graduating Senior Q&A: Boyle's leadership key for Griffins as they aim for home playoff date
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T |
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Team Stats
Alberta
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 2 for 7 | 0 for 2 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 4 (24) | 8 (35) |
| Shots on Goal | 30 | 34 |
| Face Offs Won | 0 | 0 |
Alberta
| Game Statistics | Alberta | MacEwan University |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 2 for 7 | 0 for 2 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 4 (8) | 9 (18) |
| Shots on Goal | 26 | 22 |
| Face Offs Won | 0 | 0 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – This weekend will mark the closest thing to a playoff series that Edmonton rivals MacEwan and Alberta have had in several years in any sport.
Home ice advantage in the opening round of the post-season is on the line, so when the Griffins and Golden Bears men's hockey teams tangle in a home-and-home set to close out the regular season this weekend, expect a playoff-like atmosphere.
The teams will meet on Friday (7 p.m., Clare Drake Arena) and Saturday (5 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, both Canada West TV).
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MacEwan (11-10-5) is in the driver's seat, three points ahead of Alberta (10-12-4), and would clinch second place in the West Division – and the home-ice quarter-final series that comes with it – if they win at least once or lose both games in extra time. The Golden Bears need to sweep the weekend with no more than one win coming in overtime or a shootout to surpass the Griffins in the standings.
The winner of those stakes earns the right to host the third seed in the East Division next weekend, while the loser will have to go on the road as West No. 3 against East No. 2.
"It's going to be high pressure; there's positioning in the standings on the line," said Griffins head coach Zack Dailey. "There is something to play for, so this is a playoff weekend for us. It's a great opportunity to be in pressure situations and see how we perform."
The Griffins have already clinched a Canada West playoff spot for a third-straight season – something they accomplished on Jan. 17 – but they have yet to host a playoff game since joining the conference in 2021.
They are 1-1-2 against the Golden Bears this season and three of the four matches have gone to overtime.
MacEwan is coming off perhaps their strongest effort of the season last Saturday when they beat Trinity Western 6-1 after putting 66 shots on net – tied for the third-highest total in a Canada West game over the past 25 seasons. The Griffins are riding a two-game winning streak after losing four in a row (two of them in OT).
"I just like how we've been playing lately," said Dailey. "Maybe the results don't show that, but I've really liked the last six games and felt we've been playing some good hockey.
"So, we're excited to just continue that wave, have a competitive weekend and competitive games in high pressure situations."
Saturday is also Senior Night, marking the final home regular season game for Brendan Boyle, who is set to graduate from the program.
Enjoy a Q&A with Boyle below.
Brendan Boyle enters the final home regular season weekend of his MacEwan career with 27 career points (Taylor Lafond photo).
BRENDAN BOYLE
Zach Dailey's coach's quote:
"He was a guy with a bunch of Western league experience who was willing to come to a new program and work his way to the top. He brough validity to our program. He's someone who was willing to accept any role. He's now been a two-year assistant captain, someone the younger guys look up to in terms of commitment, work ethic and what it takes to be on top of your game, so he's been someone who's been very important to our program."
Q&A with Brendan Boyle
What are you going to be graduating with and when?
"I've been taking courses in a Bachelor of Arts at MacEwan. I'm planning to (continue my education) in fire school and power engineering."
That leads to my next question: do you have a career path in mind?
"Eventually I want to be a firefighter, but I'm going to do my power engineering first, so I have somewhere to work before, not just waiting to be hired somewhere."
Do you have plans to continue playing hockey?
"Nothing serious. My competitive days are done, but I'll definitely stay involved with the game, whether that's coaching or beer league."
What are some of your favourite memories over your time with the Griffins?
"Just the year-to-year improvement, and then the bus trips and plane trips with the guys. I would say those are the things that stick out to me the most, not necessarily the hockey, but the friendships."
You've had an opportunity to be in the leadership group the last two seasons. What has that meant to you to wear an 'A' on your sweater?
"It's an honour and a privilege, especially to be voted in by your teammates. It means a lot to me, and I try to put my best foot forward every day to represent them and the team as best as possible."
What do you think your legacy with the program is?
"I just want to be able to look back and know I left the program in a better place than it was when I got here. I think me and Chorn (Carter Chorney) and the other guys who were rookies that year have been able to say that. Hopefully the rest of the guys can continue to do so moving forward."
Do you have anything else you'd like to say about your time with the Griffins?
"It was fun and I'm thankful for all the friends that I've met along the way."
