Three Stars: Chambers, Lalor, Schmidt earn honours

Aryn Chambers scored a key goal and was strong defensively for the Griffins against the Saskatchewan Huskies on the weekend (Joel Kingston photo).
Aryn Chambers scored a key goal and was strong defensively for the Griffins against the Saskatchewan Huskies on the weekend (Joel Kingston photo).

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Women's hockey student-athlete Aryn Chambers is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after leading the Griffins during a weekend series at Saskatchewan.

Chambers scored a key goal and played big minutes for MacEwan against one of Canada West's top teams.

Women's basketball student-athlete Hayley Lalor and men's hockey forward Colin Schmidt have been named the second and third stars, respectively.

It's the second appearance of the season for Chambers, who was named second star on Nov. 9, while both Lalor and Schmidt cracked the list for the first time in 2021-22.

1st STAR: Aryn Chambers, D, women's hockey

Edmonton, AB, first-year, Arts

The sterling rookie rearguard played big minutes and scored a key goal for the Griffins women's hockey team during a weekend road series at Saskatchewan.

In Friday's 4-1 loss, Chambers sifted a seeing-eye shot through traffic with three seconds left that eluded goaltender Camryn Drever and spoiled her shutout bid. She finished the game with three shots.

In Saturday's 4-1 defeat, Chambers again played solid defence for the Griffins and finished even in plus/minus.

For the season, the defenceman is tied for second in team scoring with two goals and six points in 16 games, and is third on the Griffins with 36 shots.

Chambers will lead MacEwan into a weekend home-and-home series against cross-town rival Alberta on Friday (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena) and Saturday (7 p.m., Clare Drake Arena, both on Canada West TV presented by Co-op).

Hayley Lalor gave a consistently strong effort all over the court during three games for the Griffins last week, including a Feb. 2 match against Alberta (Eduardo Perez photo).

2nd STAR: Hayley Lalor, G, women's basketball

Red Deer, AB, third-year, Science

Consistent play and gritty effort in three games led to Lalor being named her team's top player and the Griffins' second star of the week.

The Red Deer product was all over the court, contributing equally offensively and defensively for the Griffins.

In last Wednesday's 88-54 loss vs. Alberta, Lalor contributed eight points, a game-high four steals, four rebounds and two assists.

In Friday's 74-64 setback vs. Lethbridge, she had four points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal.

In Saturday's 72-56 loss vs. Lethbridge, Lalor produced eight points, five rebounds, four assists and a block.

For the season, the third-year guard leads the Griffins in rebounds (61), assists (29), is second in steals (23) and is fifth in points per game (5.6).

She'll lead MacEwan into a pair of road games at Alberta on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m., both Saville Centre, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).

Colin Schmidt was a physical force for the Griffins during a weekend series against Saskatchewan (Joel Kingston photo).

3rd STAR: Colin Schmidt, F, men's hockey

Spruce Grove, AB, second-year, Arts

Schmidt stood out for the Griffins with his physicality and work ethic during a pair of home games against the visiting University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

In Friday's 5-0 loss, the feisty forward led the Griffins with five of their 19 shots in the contest and was one of only three players on the team to finish even in plus/minus.

In Saturday's 6-1 defeat, Schmidt recorded three shots, tied for second best on the Griffins, while also finishing even in plus/minus.

For the season, Schmidt has two goals and four points in 16 games and is tied for second among active Griffins players with 28 shots.

He will lead MacEwan into their final regular season home game on Saturday vs. Alberta (5 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).