Griffins assistant captain Ali Macaulay scored a goal and added an assist on Friday (Calvin Hui photo).
Griffins assistant captain Ali Macaulay scored a goal and added an assist on Friday (Calvin Hui photo).
November 23, 2024

Griffins strike for two goals, but attempt to claw back from early deficit falls short in 5-2 loss at Regina

Box Score

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics 

REGINA, Sask. – After allowing two early goals against, the Griffins chased the game the rest of the way before falling 5-2 to the Regina Cougars in Canada West women's hockey action on Friday night.

On the positive side, their offence came through with a pair of goals that were exactly what they've been working on.

"We gave up two early ones," said Griffins head coach Chris Leeming. "That's obviously not an ideal start when you're chasing the game in the first five minutes but credit the girls. I thought they got better as the game went on. 

"We got some scoring chances, and we capitalized on a nice individual play by Ali Macaulay and we scored a powerplay goal as well, so that cut the lead to 4-2.

"We pulled the goalie, and they scored an empty-netter on us. We just weren't able to close that gap."

With the result, MacEwan falls to 1-10-2, while Regina improves to 7-3-3.

Tessa Stewart beat Lindsey Johnson just 2:38 into the game before her Cougars teammate Kaylee Dyer scored at 6:18.

MacEwan got on the board shortly after at 8:47 when Macaulay walked across the blueline and unleashed a snipe that beat Regina's Arden Kliewer.

"Earlier today, we talked about her taking ice and not always just looking to make a pass," said Leeming of Macaulay, who finished the game with two points. "She rushed the puck up the ice and found a way to attack the middle and beat the goalie with a quick release going the other way. 

"It was exactly what we talked about, and it was nice to see her have some success with the goal."

Paige Hubbard restored Regina's three-goal lead 9:25 into the second period before the Griffins struck at 19:22 on a powerplay sequence they've been working on all week in practice. Kori Paterson took Macaulay's pass on the half wall and let a solid shot go that created a rebound for Allee Isley to bang home.

"We made a little bit of an adjustment on our powerplay and worked on it all week," said Leeming. "They were scoring goals all week in practice, so it's great to see they were able to execute and cash one in."

Megan Long hit an empty net with 30 seconds left to seal the result in Regina's favour.

Johnson made 31 saves for MacEwan, while Kliewer stopped 14 for Regina.

The teams will meet again on Saturday (4 p.m. MT, Canada West TV).