Lindsey Johnson was solid in the MacEwan net with 27 saves (Connor Hood photo).
Lindsey Johnson was solid in the MacEwan net with 27 saves (Connor Hood photo).
October 12, 2025

Heartbreaker as Griffins concede winner with 54 seconds left to lose 3-2 to Alberta

Box Score

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – In a heartbreaking moment, the Griffins women's hockey team conceded a goal with 54 seconds left to fall 3-2 to the Alberta Pandas on Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena.

They were so close to getting at least a point out of the affair, and even held a lead for 18:31 in the game.

Although they were outshot 30-16 and needed a solid performance from Lindsey Johnson – who made 27 saves – to stay in it, it's as close as they've come to beating the Pandas during their Canada West tenure.

"Definitely disappointing to lose in that fashion, especially since there has been some growth in our game overall," said head coach Chris Leeming. "We're taking steps forward and it isn't always a linear path. I think we're learning a lot right now about ourselves and that will continue to facilitate our growth."

With the result, the Griffins fall to 0-4-0 on the season, while the Pandas are now 2-0-2.

Alberta got on the board first Saturday when Abby Soyko scored 6:09 into the contest.

But MacEwan tied it up at 13:35 when Kori Paterson drove to the net out of the corner and swung wide to fire it past Alberta starter Misty Rey.

Sasha Malenfant then gave MacEwan the lead at 4:49 of the second period, flying down the right wing and sniping it over Rey's shoulder.

"There are definitely parts of our game that we liked," said Leeming. "Those goals are products of us executing a few different elements of our game that we're focusing on, so that was nice to see."

Johnson continued to make several great stops as the contest went on and wound up earning third star honours.

"She's played pretty well the last two weekends here and it's great to see," said Leeming. "She's somebody who's really committed to doing the right things the right way. She shows up every day and works her butt off. She's in a nursing program, too, so she does carry a lot every day. But it's great to see her finding some success in the net."

Soyko finally pulled the Pandas even at 3:20 of the third before Sara Kazeil's winner came on the powerplay with just 54 seconds left.

"We were short-handed and the puck got to the point," said Leeming. "Kori kind of laid out and got a stick on it. The other girl had a little bit more of a handle on it. She was able to pull the puck out, walk around and get a shot off. It was through a screen, so I don't think Jonny saw it.

"Unfortunately, we got the short end of the stick that game. There are definitely areas that we could dial into to execute better. That's the lesson and the takeaway that we're moving into next week with because we've got another good opponent on the way against Mount Royal, so it will be another good challenge for us to see what we're capable of doing."

MacEwan will play MRU in Calgary next Friday before hosting them on Saturday at the DCA (5 p.m., Canada West TV).