Griffins fix defensive zone but fail to generate anything offensively in 1-0 loss to Huskies

Brianna Sank, seen in action against Trinity Western earlier this season, stopped 28 of 29 shots on Saturday, but the Griffins couldn't give her any run support in a 1-0 loss (Joel Kingston photo).
Brianna Sank, seen in action against Trinity Western earlier this season, stopped 28 of 29 shots on Saturday, but the Griffins couldn't give her any run support in a 1-0 loss (Joel Kingston photo).

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

SASKATOON, Sask. – While the Griffins fixed what ailed them on Friday – multiple defensive miscues – it was like whack-a-mole as another issue reared its ugly head.

They couldn't score or generate any offence whatsoever in a 1-0 loss to the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday.

"We prioritized taking care of the net front from yesterday, which is where we gave up a lot of chances that they capitalized on," said MacEwan interim head coach Chris Leeming of adjustments from Friday's 5-2 loss. "With 10 shots, we obviously didn't create any offensive opportunities."

Indeed, the Griffins were outshot 29-10 and even those shots came primarily from the perimeter.

"We had maybe two or three of them we got to the inside, but their goalie saw most of them pretty cleanly," said Leeming. "When they have a clear sight line on the majority of the shots, the goalie is going to make the save."

Camryn Drever earned a 10-save shutout for Saskatchewan, while Brianna Sank stopped 28 for MacEwan.

The only goal Saskatchewan needed came at 15:06 of the first period when Kennedy Brown beat Sank on the powerplay.

From there, no matter what the Griffins tried, they had nothing going offensively.

"Honestly, it just seemed we were a step behind," said Leeming. "They're a quick team, a fast-skating team, and they didn't really give up any opportunities. They didn't allow us to create any. 

"They had a plan, and we just weren't able to really facilitate any type of offensive generation or much extended zone time. Any time we spent in their zone was on the perimeter and we weren't able to get to the perimeter to get many pucks to the net or bodies."

The Griffins return home to host Manitoba on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., Canada West TV).