Griffins score first win over rival Pandas since joining Canada West, triumphing 2-1 in a shootout

EDMONTON — The MacEwan Griffins have been dealt some tough and heartbreaking losses from the Alberta Pandas over the past five years, but they finally said enough is enough.

For the first time since joining the Canada West in 2021, the Griffins beat their cross-town rivals with a thrilling 2-1 shootout victory on Saturday night at the Downtown Community Arena.

"That was an exciting win. That was a team we've been wanting to beat all season," said Griffins goaltender Taya Currie, who made 27 saves, plus another three in the shootout.

"They're our biggest rival, and it came down to one goal in the shootout. Our team battled so hard, and we really deserved this win."

Griffins forward Sydney Jack scored in regulation, while Marley Howes and Allee Isley scored in the shootout to snap the Pandas 21-game winning streak against MacEwan.

After a hard fought 3-1 loss on Friday at Clare Drake Arena, the Griffins came out with redemption on their minds.

They had a strong opening period and were rewarded with a 1-0 lead at intermission.

With 41 seconds left in the period, Jordan Brown's shot from the top of the circle hit the post and recycled back into traffic where Sydney Jack banked it off the pad of Pandas goaltender Grace Glover and just over the goal line to give MacEwan a 1-0 lead.

After giving up three power play goals in Friday's loss, they shut down the Pandas power play, and the Griffins scored on their one-and-only power play opportunity.

And for good portions throughout the game, the Griffins generated some good scoring opportunities on Glover, who made 15 saves in the loss.

"I think the game (yesterday) got away from us in terms of our focus, and we talked today about just being in the moment and being one percent better every time we get out there and doing it together," said Griffins head coach Chris Leeming.

"The bounce back and response from yesterday was really cool to see from them. I'm really proud of our team."

The second period was scoreless, and the Griffins stayed in control and didn't give the Pandas much to work with offensively. They held Alberta to just 13 shots through the first 40 minutes.

Alberta managed to tie the game at 1-1 with 10:11 left in regulation when defenceman Kate Williams scored her first-career goal. Her point shot deflected wide and came out in front and off a Griffins defender and off of Currie's arm and in.

The Pandas got a lucky break, but the Griffins didn't let that bring them down, and they continued to push.

"We knew they would come out strong again, and we just tried to counter that. We didn't hold back, and kept pushing and believing in ourselves and the energy throughout our team was high," said Howes.

In the shootout, Hailey Carothers gave the Pandas a 1-0 lead, but Howes came through with a nifty backhand move to beat Glover, and after Currie stopped Carothers on her second attempt and Alberta's fourth shot of the shootout, Isley won it with a hard snap shot over Glover's blocker, off the post and in.

"I was nervous with the game on my stick, but I had a shootout goal in my second year, and I just decided to use the same move, and I just told myself whatever happens, happens," smiled Isley.

"It was a real close game yesterday, and we didn't get down on ourselves, and we were ready to bounce back today. We wanted to win this game so bad. After we scored first, we wanted that taste of a win — especially against this team."

The Griffins will enter the holiday break with a 4-12-1-1 record, and will next visit Trinity Western for a weekend series starting on Jan. 9-10.