Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Natalie Bender had no idea what her expectations should be entering her first Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season last fall.
You can be sure when the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey goaltender started her journey with three-straight shutouts that it blew the lid off of them, though.
"It absolutely did," the St. Albert product said of putting together 213 minutes, four seconds of perfect hockey between Oct. 14 to Nov. 11 that set a new MacEwan University regular-season shutout record. "I just came in and did the best I could to help our team win.
"It's easy when you have such a great team in front of you both offensively and defensively. It's easy to rely on them. I want them to rely on me and be able to trust me. I didn't expect that, nor do I think many people did, but it kind of was a pretty cool thing."
The rookie is having a season for the ages, currently leading the ACAC in goals against average (0.65), save percentage (.971) and shutouts (four) as the Griffins head into a weekend series against Red Deer College (Thursday, 7 p.m., in Red Deer and Saturday, 6 p.m., Downtown Community Arena).
Meanwhile, goalie Sandy Heim, who is the ACAC's reigning most outstanding player and MacEwan's 2017 female athlete of the year award winner is also going strong – with a 1.82 GAA, .915 save percentage and two shutouts.
If there were a William M. Jennings trophy handed out in the ACAC ranks (there isn't), the duo would be leading the standings by a mile.
There has certainly been an adjustment period for Heim, though, who was used to being a workhorse for the Griffins, starting 22 of 24 regular season games a year ago. Now the duo usually splits time, each getting a game in a weekend series.
"I would say at the beginning of the season I struggled a little bit because it was different," she said. "I was used to playing every game. You just went on and on and played.
"Right now, I've kind of gotten used to it where it's not a problem at all. You get more breaks, which is also nice. It gives you a rest."
The competition for playing time in the crease actually sharpens their focus, too.
"Both goalies use the competition to better themselves, but have a very healthy level of support for each other's success," said Griffins head coach Lindsay McAlpine. "It would be a disservice to our group of goalies, as well as our team, not to also mention (third goalie) Courtney (Beierbach), who may be in the background in terms of playing time, but also plays a critical role is bettering both our shooters and other goalies.
"Our team, in general, prides itself on a team-first mentality, and the goaltending trio we have is just one example."
Bender noted the support from Heim has really helped her be at her best in her rookie season.
"You've got to commend her for the season she had last year and admire that," she said. "She's super approachable. She'll tell you stuff you need to work on. I think with her it's nice because work ethic is unbelievable. She's so determined to do good and be better."
Sandy Heim shuts down SAIT during a recent game (Matthew Jacula photo).
That competitive fire is evident and will only help the Griffins over the next few weeks as they chase a second-straight ACAC Championship.
"Sandy is a natural competitor, making her a massive threat to other teams in high pressure situations," said McAlpine. "She thrives when she is pushed, and has adjusted very well to having another goalie challenge her for starting time. I have no doubt that in our final stretch, Sandy will be at her best."
No doubt Bender will be, too. She's also accustomed to high-pressure moments, not only in hockey, but in softball. Last summer, the pitcher led Team Alberta to a silver medal at the Canada Summer Games.
"I had to pick for university – softball or hockey," she explained. "I did have opportunities to go play in the States for ball, but a big part of me wanted to stay close to home.
"At the beginning, I wasn't going to play any sports after high school. I was already coming to MacEwan and then Lindsay wanted me to play. That just kind of fell on my lap. It worked out well."
Indeed, it has. And not just on the ice, either.
"Obviously, stats are nice, and great to see any time a MacEwan athlete is leading the pack, but Bender's best contribution is her ability to step into a varsity environment and make an impact off the ice," noted McAlpine. "She has been a very welcome addition to the dressing room in terms of her outgoing personality and ability to be a great teammate."
