Kieser scores Teddy Bear Toss goal in 3-1 win over MacEwan

EDMONTON - Captain Natalie Kieser scored late in the first period, bringing over 400 stuffed animals onto the ice at Clare Drake Arena in the first ever Pandas Hockey Teddy Bear Toss. All Teddy Bears will be donated to the Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre. 

The Pandas were also able to secure a fourth-straight win, and by doing so leaped over Trinity Western for second in the West Division of Canada West. 

Riley Smith led Alberta with a goal and two assists, factoring in all three Panda goals and finishing with a game-high three points. Hailey Carothers added a power-play marker and drew multiple penalties through her physical play. 

Jadynn Morden and Sara Kazeil each added assists, and Abby Soyko and Annie King combined on Smith's insurance goal.

Goaltender Mackenzie Dojahn was steady throughout, stopping 17 of 18 shots, including key saves late in the second period and during a third-period penalty kill.

MacEwan was led by Kali MacDonald, who scored the Griffins' lone goal on the power play, assisted by Jordan Brown and Rian Santos.

First Period

MacEwan opened the scoring on the power play at 11:19, when Kali MacDonald redirected a feed from Jordan Brown with Rian Santos also picking up an assist. Alberta countered on a power play of its own at 16:16. After Kori Paterson's holding minor, Natalie Kieser finished a passing sequence from Sara Kazeil and Riley Smith, tying the game 1–1.

The Pandas generated a late push, outshooting MacEwan 8–1 in the period, but Griffins goaltender Lindsey Johnson held firm.

Second Period

Alberta continued to carry the play but did not break through until another Griffins penalty created an extended opportunity. Following consecutive minors to Sydney Olsen and Aspen Checknita, Hailey Carothers scored a power-play marker at 16:56, tapping home a feed from Jadynn Morden with Smith earning her second assist of the night.

Dojahn turned aside six shots in the frame to preserve the lead.

Third Period

MacEwan pressed early, but a hooking call to Kori Paterson at 11:46 gave Alberta its fifth power play. Just 1:11 into the advantage, Riley Smith buried a setup from Abby Soyko and Annie King at 12:57, extending the lead to 3–1.

Alberta controlled possession the rest of the way, with Dojahn making three final saves to seal the win.

Alberta finished 3-for-5 on the power play while holding MacEwan to 1-for-5, a special-teams edge that defined the outcome.