Griffins couldn't make three-goal lead stand up, settling for a point in 5-4 shootout loss to Bears
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
|
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 2 for 7 | 2 for 4 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 5 (10) | 8 (16) |
| Shots on Goal | 29 | 33 |
| Face Offs Won | 0 | 0 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Seemingly on their way to their first-ever weekend sweep of their cross-town rivals with a healthy 4-1 lead, the MacEwan Griffins just couldn't close it out and it came back to bite them in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena.
When Myles Gauld scored two minutes into the third period to put the Griffins up 5-2, only to stunningly have the officials wave the goal off well after the play – citing incidental contact on goaltender Ethan Barwick – it was the moment everything turned in Alberta's favour.
"We had the goal called back there and we weren't able to regroup from there," said Dailey, who wasn't pleased with the call that ruled Caden Cabana interfered with Barwick before Gauld scored, even though the contact was outside the crease and occurred while he was finishing his move after tipping it on net.
Fresh off the break, Alberta roared back to tie the game, sending it into a shootout where only Tyson Laventure was able to score amongst six shooters on either side.
"They scored a powerplay goal, it's a loud building, the crowd got back into it, they got a little confidence, and we couldn't stop the momentum," said Dailey. "We had a chance late on the powerplay there and couldn't execute. We had an opportunity. Any time you have a two-goal lead going into a third period and with 15 minutes left, the expectation is you get the job done, but they're a good, veteran hockey team and they rode the momentum and were able to come out with the victory."
The Griffins picked up a point and enter the semester break at 7-8-3, two points behind Alberta (8-7-3) for second place in the West Division.
After beating the Golden Bears 4-3 in overtime on Friday night, the Griffins carried that momentum over into Saturday's contest, opening the scoring just 16 seconds in when Vincent Scott buried a rebound off Keaton Downhaniuk's point shot.
GOAL��
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Hockey (@GriffinsMHKY) December 7, 2025
Just 16 seconds in, the @MacEwanGriffins take a 1-0 lead as Vincent Scott pounces on a rebound!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/pOTvHSvG4Q
Although Justin Hall replied for Alberta less than a minute later – making the fur fly on Alberta's Teddy Bear Toss night – the Griffins just kept pouring it on.
Kadyn Chabot beat Alberta's Drew Sim clean from the left circle, making the water bottle dance at 3:10.
GOAL��
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Hockey (@GriffinsMHKY) December 7, 2025
Making the water bottle dance.
Kadyn Chabot put the @MacEwanGriffins up 2-1 at the Clare Drake with a perfect snipe!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/TIi86USZhu
Then, Chabot finished off a pretty passing play on the powerplay, converting Sam Simard's cross-crease pass – the third goal in as many shots on Sim, chasing him from the game just 4:47 in.
GOAL��
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Hockey (@GriffinsMHKY) December 7, 2025
Kadyn Chabot has two in less than two minutes!
Sublime puck movement on this powerplay puts the @MacEwanGriffins up 3-1.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/ooiBO82mKa
Liam Hughes jumped off the bench and wired one past Barwick midway through the second period to put the Griffins up 4-1.
GOAL��
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Hockey (@GriffinsMHKY) December 7, 2025
Liam Hughes' laser puts the @MacEwanGriffins up 4-1 midway through the second period!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/r6By39aXJJ
"I was really impressed with how the group started the game," said Dailey. "I think they recognized the importance of today. It's a really big game for our group and our program. I really liked how they started the game.
"I thought we did a lot of things great, I just think maybe our immaturity showed a little bit in the third period there where we weren't able to stay with it and continue what we'd been doing. Again, they're a good hockey team, so I'm not trying to take anything away from them, but I really feel we took our foot off the gas."
Hall got the Golden Bears within two again before the second was out, capitalizing on a powerplay as he converted a cross-crease pass from his brother Adam.
Then Laventure scored a similar goal on the powerplay to draw Alberta within one at 10:31 of the third period, this time taking a pass from Justin Hall.
MacEwan was working hard to close out the win before a defensive zone breakdown at the wrong time cost them as Owen Pederson won a board battle and fed Gleb Tkach, who was alone in front for the game-tying goal.
The Griffins had a four-minute powerplay that stretched into overtime when Dowhaniuk was cut with a high stick, but they couldn't capitalize.
It will go down as a disappointing result for the Griffins, but if they can learn from it, it may help them in more critical moments later in the season.
"At some point we have to learn these lessons," said Dailey. "I think we've been in situations like this before and the message is you have to find a way. We have to start closing games out. It's always good to be in high pressure situations so down the road they're not as stressed in these situations, but at some point lessons have to become victories."
Nevertheless, the Griffins are in a solid position as they head into the semester break before resuming play Jan. 9-10 vs. Trinity Western – the kick-off to the final 10-game stretch of the regular season.
"I think our guys are doing a great job," said Dailey. "I think we're right where we expected to be. I think we have really high expectations for our group in our locker-room. We know what we're capable of. I'm thinking we're right where we're supposed to be.
"But this is a hard league, there's a lot of good teams. I'm just really happy with my team's buy in, their work ethic, their commitment and there's just a bunch of fantastic kids on my team. I'm looking forward to pushing here in the second half."
