Three Stars: Epp, Obasuyi, Butler earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Men's hockey student-athlete Brett Epp is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after his performance against the Mount Royal Cougars last Saturday.
The fifth-year goaltender stopped 39 of 41 shots sent his way by the U SPORTS No. 5-ranked team, playing outstanding in giving MacEwan a chance in a 2-1 loss.
Women's basketball forward Unity Obasuyi and women's volleyball outside hitter Arden Butler were named the second and third stars, respectively.
It's the third time in 2024-25 that Epp has cracked the Three Stars list, previously being named third star on Oct. 1 and second star on Nov. 26. It also completes a rarity as all three of the Griffins men's hockey goaltenders – including Eric Ward and Carson Ironside – have now earned a first star honour this season.
Obasuyi is making her third appearance, as well, having previously been named second star on Nov. 5 and first star on Nov. 26. Butler, meanwhile, is being honoured for the second time this season after also being named third star on Nov. 19.
Brett Epp makes a blocker stop - one of his 39 saves against Mount Royal last Saturday (Derek Harback photo).
1st STAR: Brett Epp, G, men's hockey
Edmonton, AB, fifth-year, Arts
Facing one of the best teams in the country last Saturday, Epp was locked in and laser-focused in stopping 39 of 41 shots.
He didn't have a chance on either of the two that beat him – both powerplay goals – and made several saves that he had no business making as the Cougars outshot the Griffins 41-19, but scraped by with a 2-1 win.
MRU is the No. 5-ranked team in U SPORTS and currently leads the Canada West's West Division with a 17-5-0 record.
Epp improved his season stats to a 4.64 GAA and .871 save percentage after the contest.
The Griffins hit the road this weekend for a series at the Manitoba Bisons, the team that's trailing them by eight points for the final playoff spot in the conference's East Division. Wins in both games (Friday, 6 p.m. MT and Saturday, 1 p.m. MT, Canada West TV) would clinch a playoff spot for MacEwan.
Unity Obasuyi scored 36 points in two games against Lethbridge on the weekend (James Maclennan photo).
2nd STAR: Unity Obasuyi, F, women's basketball
Edmonton, AB, second-year, Commerce
Hit by an injury wave, the short-handed Griffins went into a weekend series against Lethbridge with just eight players, but they were competitive because of the performance by Obasuyi, who continues to impress in her second Canada West season.
The forward scored a game-high 22 points in Friday's 65-56 loss to the Pronghorns – accounting for 39 per cent of the Griffins' total offensive production. In 34 minutes on the court, she also added four rebounds, two steals and an assist.
In Saturday's 70-44 loss, the Griffins were down to just seven players for most of the game after Sarah Burnell was hurt a minute in. So, Obasuyi stepped up again, co-leading the team with 14 points in 33 minutes, adding two assists, two blocks, a rebound and a steal.
For the season, Obasuyi sits in the top 10 in Canada West in scoring as she's ninth in points/game (14.8).
The Griffins hit the road this weekend, traveling to play UFV on Friday (7 p.m. MT) and Saturday (4 p.m., MT, both Canada West TV).
Arden Butler's shining moment in Saskatoon was recording nine kills in the opening set on Saturday as she led the Griffins' attack both nights (Brynn Jarvis photo).
3rd STAR: Arden Butler, OH, women's volleyball
Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Arts
Recording 23 kills in seven sets against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies during a weekend series in Saskatoon, Butler helped rejuvenate a Griffins' attack that's been grounded of late.
In Friday's 3-0 loss, she led MacEwan with seven kills, adding an ace and eight digs.
In Saturday's 3-1 loss, Butler really shone with nine kills in the opening set before finishing with a team-high 16 in a match that nearly went the distance (the fourth set was 36-34 for Saskatchewan).
For the season, Butler leads the Griffins with 100 kills and her kills/set average of 2.44 is tied for 25th in the conference.
MacEwan is back home this weekend as they host Regina on Friday (5 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
