Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Filed under: you know things are going well when …

MacEwan Griffins forward Shyla Kirwer matched her entire 2018-19 point production in the first game of the season. And passed it in Game 2.

On pace for a 60-point campaign after recording four goals and an assist in MacEwan's opening weekend sweep of NAIT, Kirwer has shot out of a cannon to start the 2019-20 ACAC slate.

"It felt pretty surreal," she said of a three goal, four-point game in Friday's 10-5 MacEwan win, followed up by scoring the game-winner in Saturday's 2-1 triumph.

"I don't think I've had a hat trick since peewee, so to get one in my first game back, it feels pretty good."

Kirwer posted two goals and two assists in 23 regular season games in 2018-19 – her rookie campaign in the ACAC.

So, other than gaining a little more confidence and familiarity with the level, what's changed?

"To be honest, I don't notice a lot different," said head coach Lindsay McAlpine. "The biggest difference is she's finished on the opportunities she's created for herself. She created those opportunities last year and this year has had a little bit more success in touch and finesse around the net."

Kirwer adds that she's gotten stronger in the off-season and is also making the most of a golden opportunity – playing on a line with veteran conference all-stars Chantal Ricker and Shyla Jans.

"I think just our chemistry (is working)," said Kirwer. "Me and Chantal work it really good low and Janny's a really good high support.

"I've been given a bit more opportunity from Lindsay and I guess I'm just capitalizing on it right now."

Boy, is it ever working well. At least one member of that trio has been in on seven of the Griffins' 12 goals so far this season (58 per cent of the offence).

"Those are two excellent playmakers – amongst the top in the ACAC in assists and goals every year that they've played for us," said McAlpine of Ricker, who led the Griffins with 18 points last season, and Jans, who needs just five more points to become MacEwan's all-time leading scorer. "Shyla (Kirwer) brings a ton of hockey IQ, as do the other two, so putting all three together was really something we looked at last year and was a combination early on this year.

"We thought we'd give that a try. Sometimes those things pay off and sometimes they don't. So far, we're only two games in, but it's been a line that's really connected so far."

Look for them to be together again when the Griffins host SAIT on Friday (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena, ACAC TV) and visit the Trojans in Calgary on Saturday (7 p.m., ACAC TV).

Kirwer has been a part of effectives lines before. She was an assistant captain for the St. Albert Slash, helping them win two Esso Cup Midget AAA national championship before coming to MacEwan (2017 and 2018) and played a key defensive role.

"My lines were fairly important during those, using our defensive skill," she said. "Me and my linemates had to play a lot of PK in those."

Combined with MacEwan's ACAC Championship last March, Kirwer's trophy mantle is getting a little crowded. She also has medals from provincial atom and peewee titles in her youth.

The common denominator in all of those championships is character that comes from putting the right players together.

"I think it's a lot of buying in," she explained. "When the teams come together and we all work towards a common goal, it really just shows how much it helps a team's success."

Kirwer is hoping she can add another championship this season as the Griffins aim to go out with a bang in their final ACAC season before transitioning into Canada West by becoming the first team to four-peat.

"I think right now we're feeling pretty good," said Kirwer. "Lindsay told us to think more about the process and not about game by game wins and losses.

"I think if we carry on with that mentality, we'll hopefully be able to get another championship this year."

SAIT is next up in that process. They traditionally rely on a more physical style than NAIT and the Trojans will be coming into their opening game of the season Friday, so the Griffins will need to pay attention to the details.

"I think every team comes into their opening game really excited to play," said McAlpine. "So, I think we're going to expect SAIT to come with some high energy off the opening faceoff and I think we need to weather that for the first little bit and hopefully find our game and get our offence going again like it was on Friday."