EDMONTON, Alberta – Fourth-year forward
Kyra Anderson (Regina) scored the game-winning power-play goal, and second-year goaltender
Grace Deveau (St. Albert) made 23 saves as the Trinity Western Spartans defeated the MacEwan Griffins 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Downtown Community Arena in Edmonton. The victory completes a weekend sweep and gives the Spartans their third consecutive win, improving their Canada West record to 4-2, while the Griffins fall to 1-5.
First-year forward
Avaya McCann (Okotoks, Alta.) opened the scoring early in the second period with her second goal in as many games. MacEwan's Marley Howes tied the game on the power play before Anderson restored TWU's lead with her third goal of the season.
First-year forward
Audrina Freeman (Dawson Creek, B.C.) and second-year defender
Sadie Isfeld (Coquitlam, B.C.) assisted on McCann's goal. Fifth-year defenders
Ella Boon (Vanderhoof, B.C.) and
Presleigh Giesbrecht (Gretna, Man.) picked up the assists on Anderson's winner.
MacEwan goaltender Taya Currie made 27 saves as TWU finished with a 29-24 advantage in shots on goal.
QUOTABLE
Peter Hay, TWU Head Coach
"Another messy game that we had to find a way to win against a very hard-working MacEwan team that was very motivated to try to get a win today. Great to see us find a way with some key goals and timing with our power play. Another great game in net by Grace. It's great to have two very strong goalies playing for us right now. Really happy with how we finished the game and made sure that the third period was ours by focusing on the little things to get the win."
UP NEXT
The Spartans return home to host the Manitoba Bisons on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, at The Arenas at Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. (PT) both nights, and the games can be seen live on Canada West TV.
AS IT HAPPENED
Deveau stopped 11 shots, and Currie made eight saves in a scoreless first period. TWU went 0-for-2 on the power play and killed off MacEwan's lone opportunity.
McCann broke the deadlock at 1:24 of the second period, scoring at even strength off assists from Freeman and Isfeld. Howes replied on the power play at 6:38, with Delainey Rigaux drawing the assist, to tie the game 1-1. Anderson put the Spartans back in front with a power-play goal at 10:39 of the second period, assisted by Boon and Giesbrecht. Deveau made 10 saves in the frame as MacEwan outshot TWU 11-9, but the Spartans carried a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
TWU outshot MacEwan 12-2 in the final period. Currie stopped all 12 attempts, while Deveau turned aside both shots she faced to secure the victory.
NOTABLE
- TWU finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while MacEwan went 1-for-3.
- Fifth-year forward Kara Yackel (West St. Paul, Man.) led the Spartans with six shots on goal. Boon added four, while MacEwan's Vayda Rigaux led all players with seven.
- McCann scored in both games of the series after recording her first Canada West goal in Friday's 2-0 victory.
- Giesbrecht finished the weekend with three assists, while Freeman had an assist in each game.
- Deveau has won both of her Canada West starts, following her 48-save performance in TWU's 4-1 win over UBC on October 17.
- The Spartans allowed just one goal over the weekend, with Olivia Davidson making 17 saves in Friday's shutout.
- TWU improves to 12-6 all-time against MacEwan, with all 18 meetings coming in conference play.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes 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 15 U SPORTS team championships and 35 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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