Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — It's always a good litmus test when you face a team like the UBC Thunderbirds.
And after Friday's contest at the Downtown Community Arena, the MacEwan Griffins showed stretches that they can play with the defending Canada West conference champions — but they certainly got some work to do.
Chris Douglas tallied two goals and added two helpers, while Sam Huo scored twice to lead UBC to a 6-1 win over MacEwan. Spencer McLean scored the lone marker for the Griffins, while Eric Ward made 29 saves in the loss for MacEwan.
Scott Atkinson and Jake Wright also scored for UBC, who improved to 4-4-1 this season, while MacEwan dropped to 3-4-0.
"They're a fantastic team that skates exceptionally well and they're structured. For us, we have to be at our best if we want to compete with them," said Griffins head coach Zack Dailey.
"I thought we got out-skated and out-competed in the second period. When you're second to pucks and when we got to pucks eventually, they won the battles. That was the difference."
UBC came out firing in the opening period, but the Griffins defended well. However, the T-Birds remained patient and took a 1-0 lead when Wright's cantering pass deflected off a Griffins' skate and through the five-hole of Ward at the 12:43 mark.
Just 4:36 later, Douglas would make it 2-0 after UBC jumped on a Griffins turnover and made them pay, but MacEwan was able to cut into the lead before the first period ended.
McLean finished off a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play to make it 2-1 with 12 seconds left.
GOAL��
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Hockey (@GriffinsMHKY) November 2, 2024
What a pass by Vincent Scott!
Spencer McLean with the A+ finish as the @MacEwanGriffins are within one of the @ubctbirds, down 2-1 after 20 minutes.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/q0VnNsPZ4b
"I thought the effort was there, but it comes down to execution. We turned over too many pucks, we lost too many battles too many times and that's stuff we can clean up, but if we don't skate and compete, we don't have a chance against a team like that," said Dailey.
It was a tough second period for MacEwan, who had a tough time staying out of the box, and UBC outshot them 12-2, and scored two more times to make it 4-1 heading into the third period.
"This team is exceptionally fast, and you probably have to make plays before you're ready, and I think that led to a lack of execution. We were slow, and we were making some bad decisions under pressure," said Dailey.
"We're never going to be perfect, but against teams like this, the mistakes you make end up in the back of your net. They showed that we were pretty good for stretches, and they'd capitalize on one of our mistakes.
"We'd turn a puck over or allow a cross-ice pass that would lead to a goal. It's a good lesson that you got to limit stuff you give them, because the really good teams will take advantage of that.
"They're patient, and keep grinding and when they see an opening, they attack it. Limiting mistakes is something we have to talk about for tomorrow."
Despite giving up two more goals late in the third period, it was a much better period by MacEwan, who showed more push back and started playing at the level they have shown this year.
"I really challenged our guys to start moving their feet and win more stick battles and be more physical and I thought they responded that way in the third period," said Dailey.
"We need to reset tomorrow and make sure we're quicker in the neutral zone and make sure we take away the rush and be harder on the back check and make sure we come back with the same effort like we did tonight."
MacEwan will wrap up their weekend series against UBC on Saturday at the DCA at 3 p.m. (Canada West TV).
