Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — Kori Paterson picked the perfect time to score her first-career Canada West goal.
Not only did she gain some bragging rights with childhood friends Chloe Reid, Jace Scott and Michela Naccarato, her goal was the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday night at the Downtown Community Arena.
And, what made her first goal even more special was her long time minor hockey teammate Allee Isley earned the primary assist on her goal.
"It was a pretty special moment," said Paterson.
"I was calling for (the puck) loud. I really wanted it, and Allee (Isley) made an excellent pass through the middle. I kind of freaked out in the moment, because I had so much time and space. I was just thinking, just don't whiff on the puck, but I got a good look and was able to get off a good shot.
"To have Allee earn an assist on my goal. I wouldn't want it any other way. She's my best friend. We've been teammates since Grade 10."
Griffins goaltender Brianna Sank was outstanding, making 34 saves in the victory for MacEwan, who improved to 3-6 this season, and are 3-0 all-time against Trinity Western.
"Our group really came together tonight. We talked about the details and building good habits in our game, and I thought we did that. We performed tonight and we were more efficient, and we got rewarded for it," said Griffins interim head coach Chris Leeming.
While Sank earned high grades for her strong performance, the Griffins' penalty kill should also get big praise.
They killed off two lengthy five-on-three advantages, and while Potomak's late goal came on the power play, they killed off seven of eight power play chances by the Spartans.
"The girls are willing to sacrifice and block shots, and we've used the penalty kill to build momentum for us, and I thought that was really key for us," said Leeming.
W��| GOAL!
— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) November 5, 2022
Kori Paterson scores just before the horn sounds to end the first period as @MacEwanHockey takes a 2-0 lead over @TWUSpartans into the room.@CanadaWest #GriffNation pic.twitter.com/ch8fSYsKRS
When the Spartans did get chances, Sank came up clutch with big and timely saves.
In the second period, with the Spartans buzzing around on a five-on-three power play for 1:20, Sank denied Olivia Leier on the doorstep, not once, but twice.
After Potomak beat Sank with a perfect shot from the slot to cut the lead to 2-1 with 1:45 left, Potomak had a glorious opportunity to tie the game in the final moments. Sank made an initial stop on Potomak's shot after she busted through the slot, and then denied her with a big blocker save on the rebound.
"She scored on me once, and I told myself I wasn't going to let her do it again. When she had that chance, I just stretched as far as I could to get my blocker on it," said Sank.
"I felt like she was going to try and bury the rebound as hard as she could, and once I got my blocker on it, I lost track of where it was, but thankfully my teammates were able to get to the puck."
SPIRITED BATTLE: The Griffins and Spartans may not be rivals, but the game was one of the more physical games of the season, and there was definitely lots of chippy play between both squads.
Both teams combined for 13 power plays, and in the final minute of the first period Spartans forward Jace Scott and Griffins forward Amanda Murray were each assessed match penalties.
Scott drilled Griffins forward Jennifer Andrash from behind and Murray came to the defence of her teammate and cross-checked Scott.
NEXT UP: MacEwan and Trinity Western will finish off their weekend series on Saturday at the Downtown Community Arena, Puck drop is 4 p.m. (Canada West TV).
