Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – It's early in the season still, but it's tough not to look at the standings when pontificating about this weekend's men's hockey series between MacEwan and Manitoba.
The Griffins (6-6-0) are four points clear of the Bisons (4-8-0) for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Canada West conference.
The two rivals will meet in Winnipeg on Friday (6 p.m. MT) and Saturday (1 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV) with a potential eight-point swing in play.
The Griffins, however, aren't focused on the standings at all.
Wins are the result of playing the right way, not just something that happens, so they're deep diving into the details of what it takes to be successful.
"It's just another chance to improve as a group and gain confidence that if we play the correct way we can be in hockey games and win hockey games," said interim head coach Zack Dailey. "I'm trying to make sure my guys are focused on the process, rather than the result. Yes, it's a big weekend standings-wise, but it's a long season.
"We need to make sure we're playing the right way if we want the results."
Sometimes, the Griffins have played the way they've wanted to this season as they have big wins over four top U SPORTS contenders – Alberta, Mount Royal University, UBC and Saskatchewan (their latest big triumph, a 3-1 result last Friday).
Other times, they've been flat, such as last Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Huskies, where they were outshot 63-18. In fact, that's the last taste in their mouths, so it's natural to expect a response in their next game.
"We talked all this week about the mental toughness piece and the consistency piece that we've been lacking," said Dailey. "So, I'm definitely expecting some sort of a response from our guys.
"It's a very mature group of guys who care a lot about the program and each other. They've, time and time again, come with great efforts, even when things are tough, so I expect nothing less than them coming out and having a statement game."
To do so, they need to get back to the way they played last Friday when their effort all over the ice taking away time and space, getting sticks in lanes and blocking shots was supreme.
"I think just a consistent effort is the biggest thing," said Dailey. "(Manitoba's) a team that has skill and works hard, so if we match their work ethic and execute our plays, we should be fine. But it needs to be two consistent efforts where we're first to pucks, we're winning one-on-one battles and we're willing to block shots and do the little things it takes to win."
