Three Stars: Sundar, Donohoe, Macaulay earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Men's hockey student-athlete Ethan Sundar is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after his performance in leading the Griffins to a huge win over the Alberta Golden Bears last Friday.
The rookie forward scored twice and set up another as the Griffins knocked off their Edmonton rivals 4-3 for the first time in regulation since joining Canada West in 2021.
Men's hockey defenceman Hunter Donohoe and women's hockey blueliner Ali Macaulay were named the second and third stars, respectively.
Sundar makes his second appearance of the season on the Three Stars list, having previously been named third star on Nov. 12.
Both Donohoe and Macaulay are being honoured for the first time in 2024-25.
Ethan Sundar scored twice and added an assist to pace the Griffins past the rival Alberta Golden Bears on Friday night (Rebecca Chelmick photo).
1st STAR: Ethan Sundar, F, men's hockey
St. Albert, AB, first-year, Commerce
In their first game back after not playing in 34 days over the Christmas break, the Griffins faced a tough test against U SPORTS No. 5 Alberta, but they were up to the task.
Leading the way was sublimely skilled rookie Ethan Sundar, who scored twice and added an assist to pace MacEwan to a 4-3 win over the Golden Bears – just the second time they've beaten them since joining Canada West in 2021 (and first time in regulation).
Sundar opened the scoring just 1:28 into the contest when he forced a turnover in the neutral zone and finished off a give-and-go play with Hunter Donohoe on a 3-on-1.
He later set up Sean Comrie for the Griffins' third goal, intercepting a pass between Alberta goalie Ethan Kruger and his defenceman, and feeding the MacEwan captain for a one-timer.
Finally, the rookie finished off the scoring with a beautiful breakaway deke for the game-winner midway through the third period. That tied the program record for the most goals by a rookie in a Canada West game.
For the season, Sundar is sixth on the Griffins with 10 points in 11 games.
MacEwan is enjoying a bye weekend before returning to action against Mount Royal Jan. 17-18.
Hunter Donohoe had three assists in two games against the Golden Bears and now leads the Griffins with 13 helpers this season (Rebecca Chelmick photo).
2nd STAR: Hunter Donohoe, D, men's hockey
Surrey, BC, fourth-year, Arts
The mobile 6-foot-5 defenceman had a huge weekend for the Griffins, finishing with three assists in a pair of games against the Alberta Golden Bears.
Donohoe had two assists in Friday's 4-3 win over Alberta, setting up Ethan Sundar for the game's opening goal before kick-starting the play that led to Marc Pasemko scoring the Griffins' second goal of the contest.
In Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Golden Bears, Donohoe was possibly the Griffins' best player, constantly driving play, calmly deking defenders and finishing with an assist on the team's second goal of the game by Sean Comrie.
For the season, the Surrey, B.C. product lead the Griffins in assists (and is tied for ninth in Canada West) with 13 helpers in 18 games.
The Griffins are next in action Jan. 17-18 vs. Mount Royal with Saturday's game at home (5 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
Ali Macaulay scored the Griffins' lone goal of the weekend in a series against the Alberta Pandas (James Maclennan photo).
3rd STAR: Ali Macaulay, D, women's hockey
Bonnyville, AB, fourth-year, Police Investigations
The veteran rearguard took on some defensive assignments and was also the offensive bright light for the Griffins in a pair of losses to Edmonton rival Alberta on the weekend.
Macaulay scored MacEwan's lone goal of the weekend when she wired a seeing-eye powerplay point shot through traffic and past Pandas goaltender Mackenzie Dojahn in the first period of Saturday's 6-1 loss.
Despite MacEwan also losing 4-0 on Friday, getting outscored by nine goals in the series, Macaulay finished even in plus-minus – one of just four Griffins to do so – showing her strong defensive play throughout the weekend.
For the season, the Griffins' assistant captain is tied for second in team scoring with five points in 18 games.
MacEwan is enjoying a bye weekend before hosting Mount Royal on Jan. 17 (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
