Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Champs vs. Champs.
Both the MacEwan University Griffins and University of Alberta Pandas women's hockey teams ended their 2016-17 seasons with wild victory celebrations.
On Friday, they'll square off against each other in the opening game of the annual MacEwan University Open preseason tournament (4 p.m., Downtown Community Arena - DCA).
It's part of a four-team tourney that will also feature the University of Regina and NAIT.
MacEwan is coming off their first ACAC championship since 2008 last March, while Alberta celebrated a U Sports national title the same month.
Neither squad has lost more than a small handful of players and both will be favourites to repeat in their respective leagues. Needless to say, this is a good preseason test for the Griffins against their cross-town rivals from the Canada West Conference.
"Playing the best team in Canadian women's sports, arguably, is a very good test for us and shows us that future we have and the level and bar we have to get to," said Griffins head coach Lindsay McAlpine, who once played for the Pandas. "It's a good eye-opener for athletes and you can't set yourself up for the season any better."
The last meeting between the teams over the 2016 Christmas break ended in a 2-2 draw before Alberta won on a goal in three-on-three overtime. MacEwan was outshot 45-18, though, but goalie Sandy Heim kept them in it.
Still, the 18 shots are the most they've ever had against Alberta, a team that beat them 9-0 in preseason two years ago.
"There's definitely a gap that's closing," said McAlpine. "But they are a very strong team and one that would compete with any team in the NCAA as well."
Following the MacEwan-Alberta contest, Regina and NAIT will meet on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, NAIT and Alberta do battle at 11:15 a.m. before MacEwan hosts Regina at 2 p.m. The tournament concludes on Sunday with Alberta and Regina at 11:15 and MacEwan vs. NAIT at 2 p.m. All games are in the DCA. Admission is free.
"Regina is very, very different team than U of A and I think maybe a little bit more comparable in direct skill to our girls," said McAlpine. "They're maybe a bit slower team than U of A but very physical. They have a lot of big bodies, who take up a lot of ice and are a very seasoned, veteran team in the Canada West league.
"NAIT's always an exciting game and to have that as our closer for the weekend sets a good tone going into the season."
The Griffins are preparing for their regular-season opener Oct. 5 at Red Deer. Their home opener will be Oct. 6 vs. Red Deer (7 p.m., DCA).
ICE CHIPS … The Griffins have already seen exhibition action in NAIT's tournament last weekend as they went undefeated against three junior teams – beating the Northern Alberta Extreme 3-1, Edge School 3-2 and Banff 11-0. "I think we outshot every team by close to 30, so we definitely dominated in puck possession," said McAlpine. "I think we already set the tone and the girls are ready to defend the championship."
