Three Stars: Davis, Harper, Paterson earn honours

Three Stars: Davis, Harper, Paterson earn honours

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Men's hockey student-athlete Thomas Davis is the MacEwan Athletics first star of the week after an outstanding performance, getting the squad into overtime against Saskatchewan last Saturday.

The Griffins goaltender stopped 32 of 33 shots in regulation and overtime, including a scintillating breakaway save late in OT to get MacEwan into a shootout and pick up a point.

Hannah Harper of women's soccer and Kori Paterson of women's hockey are the second and third stars, respectively.

Davis is making a repeat appearance on the Three Stars list after receiving second star honours last week, while both Harper and Paterson are appearing for the first time in 2023-24.

Thomas Davis, seen making a save against Calgary last month, stopped 32 of 33 shots at Saskatchewan, leading the Griffins into a shootout where they got a point (Chris Lindsey photo).

1st STAR: Thomas Davis, G, men's hockey

St. Albert, AB, fourth-year, Arts

Two starts, two incredible performances.

Thomas Davis is on fire right for the Griffins men's hockey team, stopping 82 of 87 shots sent his way so far this season for a .943 save percentage – third-best in Canada West – and also has a 2.41 GAA, sixth best.

On Saturday in Saskatoon, Davis made 32 saves to get MacEwan into a shootout against the favoured Saskatchewan Huskies and was only finally beaten in the fifth round of the shootout.

The performance comes on the heels of a 50-save performance against the Calgary Dinos last month as MacEwan threw a scare into the defending Canada West champions before falling 4-3.

Davis will lead MacEwan into a 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 Canada West TV).

Hannah Harper led MacEwan to a 3-1 win over Mount Royal on Sunday as they completed a game that started Sept. 16 (Joel Kingston photo).

2nd STAR: Hannah Harper, F, women's soccer

Edmonton, AB, first-year, Arts

The rookie sensation led the way as MacEwan resumed their Sept. 16 match vs. Mount Royal University and completed a 3-1 win on Sunday.

Harper initially scored the first goal in the game 22 days earlier before it was suspended 35:05 into the contest due to air quality from wildfire smoke blanketing the Edmonton area.

She then played the final 55 minutes and change of the affair on Sunday, and again drove play for the Griffins who held off an improved Cougars team for the win.

Harper finished with the goal, a game-high six shots (two on target) and was named MVP for the Griffins.

For the season, Harper leads the Griffins in shots (34) and is tied for fifth in scoring with two goals and three points in 11 games. 

The Griffins will hit the road this weekend, finishing off the regular season with matches at Calgary on Saturday (12 p.m.) and Lethbridge on Sunday (12 p.m., both Canada West TV).

Kori Paterson led MacEwan's offensive efforts against Saskatchewan with an assist, seven shots on goal and several face-off wins (Joel Kingston photo).

3rd STAR: Kori Paterson, F, women's hockey

Viking, AB, F, second-year, Commerce

Dangerous all weekend in a two-game series against Saskatchewan, Paterson led MacEwan's offensive efforts against the Huskies.

She set up Rian Santos for MacEwan's second goal during Saturday's 4-2 loss, while co-leading the team with five shots.

In Friday's 2-1 defeat, she had two shots and also created quite a bit against the Huskies.

To top it off, Paterson was crucial for the Griffins in the faceoff circle all weekend.

For the season, Paterson is second on the Griffins with 11 shots and has one point in four games.

MacEwan heads into a weekend home-and-home series against cross-town rival on Friday (7 p.m., Clare Drake Arena) and Saturday (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, both Canada West TV).