MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – As they look to continue their progression from Canada West rookie to contender, the MacEwan Griffins men's hockey team has an opening date on the 2022-23 season to look forward to.
Circle Sept. 30 on your calendar – as the Griffins kick off their campaign with a home-opening match vs. the Regina Cougars (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena).
They won't need to wait long after that to renew hostilities against their biggest rival as they head into a home-and-home series with fellow Edmonton institution Alberta Oct. 7-8.
"We are excited for the return to a full 28-game schedule, our first at this level, after a shortened season last year," said Griffins head coach Michael Ringrose. "The competition in Canada West is fierce and every weekend is an opportunity for us to establish our identity and take another step towards our goal of making the playoffs."
The Griffins will also face the defending Canada West champion Golden Bears Dec. 2-3 in another home-and-home set.
Increased to a 28-game schedule in 2022-23, the Griffins will match up with every team in the conference four times (two and home, two on the road), except Manitoba and Saskatchewan. They host the Huskies Nov. 11-12 and visit the Bisons Nov. 18-19 in their only matches of the campaign against those teams.
If the Griffins finish among the top-six teams in the conference, they'll qualify for the playoffs, which feature best-of-three quarter-final matchups starting Feb. 17 between the 3-6 and 4-5 seeds, while the top two teams enjoy a bye past the opening round.
The best-of-three CW semifinals kick off Feb. 24, while the best-of-three championship series goes March 3-5.
The U SPORTS national championship is slated for March 16-19 at the University of Prince Edward Island.
