Tough 5-0 loss to Golden Bears knocks Griffins out of playoff race

MacEwan Athletics and Alberta Athletics

EDMONTON – Unfortunately for the MacEwan Griffins, Sunday's rematch against the cross-town rival Alberta Golden Bears was too much of a déjà vu for their liking.

A day after dropping a 5-1 decision at Clareview field to the defending national champions, the Griffins suffered a 5-0 defeat across town at Foote Field.

And, like they did a day earlier, they conceded early; MacEwan was down 3-0 when Sunday's game was just 16:18 old.

Ajeej Sarkaria had two goals and an assist for the Golden Bears, while Easton Ongaro had a goal and a helper as Alberta continued to stretch its lead atop the Canada West table at 9-1-2.

Alberta also had goals by Ajay Khabra and Daniel Barker-Rothschild, while Golden Bears goalkeeper Connor James set a new Canada West career shutout record with the 22^nd goose-egg of his career.

MacEwan, outshot 23-6 (12-2 in shots on goal), falls to 2-9-1 and will miss the playoffs for a fourth-straight Canada West season.

The Griffins will close out the season next weekend at home when they host Mount Royal University (4-4-4) on Saturday (Noon) and Calgary (6-6-0) on Sunday (2:30 p.m., both games Jasper Place Bowl).

Although the playoffs are not possible, MacEwan will have something at stake. The Griffins have not won more than two games in a Canada West season since coming into the conference in 2014, so even if they can manage to win one of their final two games, it would mark a progression for the program.

MacEwan did beat MRU 3-2 on the road earlier this season and probably deserved a better fate in a 2-1 loss at Calgary.