Sank stops 35 of 36 to secure a point, but Griffins fail to score in 1-0 OT loss to Saskatchewan
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Team Stats
Saskatchewan
| Game Statistics | Saskatchewan | MacEwan University |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 0 for 1 | 0 for 3 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 3 (6) | 1 (2) |
| Shots on Goal | 36 | 27 |
| Face Offs Won | 0 | 0 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Brianna Sank did all she could, but in the end 35 saves on 36 shots wasn't enough to secure a victory for the MacEwan women's hockey team on Friday night.
For the sixth time this season, the Griffins were shut out, falling 1-0 in overtime to the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies after Jayde Cadieux scored with 35 seconds left in the extra session for the game's only goal at the Downtown Community Arena.
"She's playing really good hockey right now for us and that's what we need," said MacEwan head coach Chris Leeming of his fifth-year goaltender, who raised her numbers to a 2.06 GAA and .934 save percentage after the contest. "She gives us an opportunity to be in games. We've got to give her some run support at times as well."
The saving grace is the Griffins (2-10-3) picked up a point for losing in OT – which not only keeps them ahead of the Huskies (1-10-4), it's the first point MacEwan has garnered against Saskatchewan in Canada West women's hockey play since the Griffins joined the conference in 2021.
"At the end of the day, we'd prefer a win," said Leeming. "If we would have got into a shootout we'd have been in a really good spot. Thirty-five seconds was the difference on that. We've got to do a better job of getting to the net and creating some chances."
The Griffins had a number of narrow misses in the game – tips that just went wide, rebounds that barely missed a MacEwan stick – but they couldn't find a way to beat Saskatchewan goaltender Colby Wilson, who made 27 saves for her first shutout of the season and fourth of her career.
"I think we got more shots than we're averaging at the moment, but a lot of them were perimeter and we didn't have secondary chances, getting in the house to get rebounds," said Leeming. "The rebounds were sitting there, but they just got covered up. So, having a little bit more urgency in our attack will lead to more offensive generation for us."
The @MacEwanGriffins will pick up at least a point after this save by Brianna Sank with 25 seconds left, kept it 0-0 after regulation with @HuskieWHKY. We are heading to OT.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/iswNJR8MsO
— MacEwan Griffins Women's Hockey (@GriffinsWHKY) November 30, 2024
The Huskies poured on some pressure late in the game, in particular, but Sank made a highlight-reel stop with 25 seconds left to net MacEwan a point, sliding across to rob Ashlee Wolfe on a rebound.
In overtime, the Griffins carried more of the play, but couldn't find a way to break down the Huskies defence. With two of their three players unable to change after a long shift, the Huskies took advantage as Cadieux walked around a Griffins defenceman and deked Sank wide for the game-winner.
The teams will meet again on Saturday (5 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV). Fans can get in free by bringing a toy donation for the Salvation Army.
