2026-27 schedule: Regional rivalries intensified as Griffins aim for fourth-straight playoff berth
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Making a return to the East Division, the Griffins men's hockey team will face a battle against regional rivals as they bid for a fourth-straight playoff berth in 2026-27.
Their journey begins with a home-and-home series Oct. 9-10 vs. Mount Royal, highlighting a 28-game regular season schedule released Thursday by the conference. The Cougars visit the Downtown Community Arena on Oct. 10, 5 p.m. in MacEwan's home opener.
The top three East Division teams out of MacEwan, Alberta, Calgary and Mount Royal will qualify for the Canada West post-season, while West Division foes UBC, Trinity Western, Manitoba, Regina and Saskatchewan will battle for the other three.
"We are looking forward to the challenge this season," said Griffins head coach Zack Dailey. "With a great mix of returning players and promising recruits, we believe our team is built to compete."
SEE THE FULL GRIFFINS' MEN'S HOCKEY REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE HERE
Tickets for the season will go on sale Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. HERE
Fans can catch all of the matches on Canada West TV Powered by BioSteel. Early bird pricing for the CWTV All-Access and Sport passes go on sale in early August.
After beating out cross-town rival Alberta for second place in the West Division last season to earn a home playoff date, the Griffins won't have to wait long to renew the rivalry. The Golden Bears visit the DCA on Oct. 16 for the first of six meetings between the teams this season.
They also won't have to wait long to meet 2026 playoff opponent Calgary, visiting the Dinos Oct. 30 and hosting them Oct. 31. Among their six meetings with them, MacEwan and Calgary will close out the regular season against one another Feb. 19-20.
The top team in each division will earn a bye past the first round, while No. 3 in the East crosses over to meet No. 2 in the West, and vice versa with No. 2 in the East hosting No. 3 in the West for best-of-three quarterfinal matches on the Feb. 26-28 weekend.
Best-of-three semifinal series run March 5-7 with the Canada West best-of-three final series going March 12-14.
U SPORTS nationals will be hosted by the Université du Québec á Trois-Riviéres from March 25-28.
