LANGLEY, British Columbia –The No. 4 Trinity Western Spartans began the 2025-26 season with an impressive 3-2 shootout win over the defending Canada West champion No. 2 Alberta Pandas Friday night at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
Scoring for the Spartans were fifth-year forward
Kyra McDonald (Inuvik, NT) and fourth-year blueliner
Presleigh Giesbrecht (Gretna, Man.). Fourth-year dence
Ella Boon (Vanderhoof, B.C.) scored the game-winner in the 1-0 shootout win.
Scoring for the Pandas were Kelly Stanford and Jadynn Morden
Fifth-year goalie
Kate Fawcett (Tottenham, Ont.) made 28 saves in the Spartans' win. Alberta's Misty Rey made 18 saves in the Pandas' loss.
UP NEXT
The Spartans and Pandas will match up again tomorrow at 3 p.m. (PT) at the Langley Events Centre. The game can be seen live on CanadaWest.TV.
QUOTABLE
Peter Hay, TWU Head Coach
"We came out ready and prepared, absolutely pressuring them the entire first period, creating lots of chances, and capitalizing on a power play goal. The second period was pretty even. But in the third, we unfortunately gave up some key power plays due to some bad penalties, allowing them to come back in the game. Going into overtime, our team demonstrated character and showcased the depth and ability we have to close out a game despite adversity. We won in overtime with a great goal by Boon and some amazing saves by Fawcett. Overall, another chance to learn early this season, but it sure feels good to get a victory against a very good Alberta Pandas team."
AS IT HAPPENED
The Spartans' McDonald got the first goal of the season at 17:34 to put TWU up 1-0 at the end of the opening 20 minutes. TWU's Giesbrecht made it a two-goal game with a shot from the point on the power play at 12:16 of the second period.
The Pandas tied the game with two third-period goals, by Kelly Stanford at 6:31 and Jadynn Morden on the power play at 17:58.
Neither team was able to score in the overtime period. Alberta was 0-4 in the shootout, while TWU, after missing their first three opportunities, scored on their fourth chance. Fawcett stopped Morden to secure the Spartan win.
NOTABLE
- The Pandas outshot the Spartans 30-21.
- Both teams finished 1-4 on the power play.
- TWU was ranked No. 4 in the Canada West preseason coaches poll, while Alberta was ranked No. 2, with UBC ranked No. 1 and Mount Royal No. 3.
- The Spartans finished preseason at 0-2. Alberta finished 2-4 in preseason play.
- TWU is currently 3-10 lifetime against Alberta.
- In their previous meeting last season, the Spartans lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Pandas at home in Langley, B.C.
- TWU finished the 2024-25 season at 14-12-1-2-1-1 and in third place in the West Division. Alberta finished last season with a record of 24-3-3-2-0-1, placing them in first place in the East Division.
- The Pandas are the defending CW champions. The Spartans lost in the CW quarterfinals two games to one against the Manitoba Bisons.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 11 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as in the NAIA in track and field and cross country and as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 33 Canada West team championships.
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in U SPORTS. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
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