Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Despite a furious push to net the game's first goal and set the tone in a game they had a chance to eliminate the defending Canada West champions in, the MacEwan Griffins couldn't score.
Even though they outshot the UBC Thunderbirds in the first period, they trailed 1-0 and ended up chasing the game the rest of the way in a 3-1 defeat that squares their best-of-three Canada west men's hockey quarter-final series 1-1.
The teams will play the rubber match on Sunday (8 p.m. MT, Canada West TV) with the winner advancing to the Canada West semifinal at Saskatchewan next weekend.
"I was actually quite happy with how we started the game," said Griffins head coach Zack Dailey. "That was one thing we wanted to focus on was not getting behind the eight-ball. I thought we did a pretty good job of starting.
"We couldn't get the first one, so we were playing a little bit of catch-up."
Jack Wismer plucked a sitter out of a scramble in front and backhanded it past Brett Epp with one second left on UBC's second powerplay of the game to open the scoring 14:25 into the contest.
UBC then took full control in the second period, outshooting MacEwan 13-5 in the frame and going up 2-0 when Jake Wright's high slot tip on Jonny Lambos' point shot rainbowed up over traffic in front and Epp, dropping into the net behind him.
"I thought they took it to us in the second period, hemmed us in our zone a little bit," said Dailey. "We struggled to find some energy and a little bit of pushback.
"Then I actually thought we did quite a good job in the third period of pushing back. We just couldn't find the equalizer."
They did find their first goal of the game, though, as rookie Caden Cabana scored his third of the series 3:57 into the third period. After Game 1 overtime hero Loeden Schaufler sent a sharp angle powerplay blast on net, Cabana slammed the rebound past Cole Schwebius.
GOAL��
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Hockey (@GriffinsMHKY) February 23, 2025
He's on fire!
Rookie Caden Cabana has his third goal of the series, getting the @MacEwanGriffins om the board in the third. It's now 2-1 for @ubctbirds in Game 2.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/OJdtseIlFc
The Griffins had life.
"One thing that we've tried to focus on is just simplifying our offensive zone and trying to get more pucks and bodies to the net," said Dailey. "He's been rewarded for following suit. I hope other guys take notice and it's more of what we do tomorrow.
"I think that was one thing – we struggled to create offence tonight, so we're going to have to find a way to put their goalie under a little bit more pressure and I think that's taking more pucks to the net."
The intense physical play in the series continued a night after Vincent Scott was lost to an injury on a heavy hit by Conner McDonald – who was suspended for Game 2 – with several big hits on both sides, including a massive one from Marc Pasemko on Jake Lee. MacEwan's Brody Tallman was hurt on a second period collision with Wismer but returned to the contest.
Griffins weathered a storm from @ubctbirds early in the second, but Marc Pasemko is attempting to change the momentum by laying a huge hit midway through the second. Still 1-0 for the T-Birds.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/hy9mDqxzkV
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Hockey (@GriffinsMHKY) February 23, 2025
"This is the most physical series we've had so far all season," said Dailey. "Both teams really care, they're competing hard. That's kind of their MO. These guys skate really well and compete extremely hard, so I'm very happy to see our guys match their intensity."
MacEwan pushed for the equalizer throughout the third period, but eventually had to pull Epp with 2:44 remaining in an attempt to increase their chances of doing so. Unfortunately, UBC's Alex Serraglio hit the empty net just 24 seconds later on a seeing-eye shot from his own blueline.
M��| FINAL
— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) February 23, 2025
Brett Epp makes a couple more late saves, but @GriffinsMHKY can't find the equalizer, conceding an empty-netter to seal a 3-1 loss to @ubctbirds in Game 2.
Series is tied 1-1 and will go to a third-and-deciding game on Sunday (8 MT, @CanadaWest TV).#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/GSMiqjciBp
And so, we will see Game 3.
"Our season's at risk of ending, so we're going to have to lay it on the line," said Dailey of his message to his troops. "We're going to make a few adjustments to try and get more pressure on these guys. But I actually liked our defensive play. I don't know how many shots we gave up, but it was significantly less than yesterday. So, I think our defensive zone structure was quite good. We just need to make sure we're not turning over pucks when we're breaking them out and then we've got to find ways to create a little bit more offence."
Epp only faced 24 shots from the T-Birds on Saturday, stopping 22, a night after having to save 41 of 43. But MacEwan put just 18 shots on Schwebius – eight of those coming in the first period.
Brett Epp gave the Griffins a chance with 22 saves on 24 shots on Saturday (Jacob Mallari photo).
