With memories of thrilling semifinal series fresh, Griffins will kick off last ACAC season against Kings
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – After last season's thrilling conclusion to their semifinal series, excitement is building for the opening date on the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference men's hockey schedule: MacEwan Griffins vs. Red Deer College Kings on Oct. 11.
Captain Cam Gotaas ended a Game 3 double overtime marathon with a well-placed snipe over goaltender Troy Trombley's shoulder last March to send the Griffins to the ACAC final, which they won 2-0 over NAIT for their third-straight championship.
The Griffins and Kings will meet again to lift the lid on the 2019-20 season, which will be MacEwan's final campaign in the ACAC before moving into the Canada West conference.
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"Obviously, we're excited to get going again," said MacEwan head coach Michael Ringrose. "We're really looking forward to Red Deer in the first weekend. They're a team that returns most of their roster and after a hard-fought series in the playoffs last year, it will be a formidable test that we better be ready for."
The evening (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena) will also feature the unveiling of MacEwan's third-straight championship banner.
The Griffins defeated the NAIT Ooks in two-straight in the best-of-three finals last March. They'll have to wait until the end of the first semester to renew acquaintances, though, with a home-and-home series slated for Nov. 29 at NAIT Arena (7 p.m.) and Nov. 30 at the Downtown Community Arena (6 p.m.).
MacEwan and NAIT will also conclude the regular season against one another Feb 28 (7 p.m., DCA) and Feb. 29 (6 p.m., NAIT Arena).
The Griffins will also play four regular season games against each of their other ACAC rivals – RDC, Concordia, UAlberta-Augustana, Briercrest, Portage and SAIT.
The top-six regular season finishers will qualify for playoffs.
MacEwan will be vying for its fourth-straight championship before moving into the Canada West ranks for the 2020-21 season.
Season tickets will be available for sale on Sept. 14 online or in person at either the Christenson Centre for Sport and Wellness or Downtown Community Arena (on game days).
