It's Playoff Time! ACAC Women's Hockey Semi-Finals Preview
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
Defending Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) women's hockey champion Red Deer Queens will face off against the MacEwan University Griffiths while the NAIT Ooks, crowned champions from 2012-2015, hit the ice against the SAIT Trojans in best-of-three semi-finals which are scheduled for February 23-25, 2017.
The highest ranked team hosts the opening game with the second game to be played on the opponent's home ice.
If a third game is necessary, it returns to the highest ranked team's home arena.
The highest ranked team that loses out in the semi-final series will be named bronze medal winner.
NAIT Ooks vs SAIT Trojans
NAIT Ooks 15 wins 9 losses 75 goals for 54 goals against
Top scorer: Kendra Hanson 6 goals 19 assists 25 points, Carlin Boey 15 goals 4 assists 19 points, Brittney Savard 13 goals 3 assists 16 points
Goals Against Average: Karlee Fetch 2.28
Penalty Minutes: 194
Power Play Goals: 17
Short Handed Goals: 4
Coach Deanna Martin: "We are going to have to play tough against SAIT. They are a big physical team and we have to ensure that they do not crash the net and shoot from the point
(NAIT key players) Carlin Boey on defense is leading the league in goals (15) and is our team captain. It's not that often that you see defenceman with the most goals in the league. Carlin is a big powerful defenceman who has a good shot.
SAIT also has a strong defenceman Madison Colbow, who has the most goals for her team (9). So, when you have a defenceman scoring from the back end, you have to change your style a bit.
At the end of the day, we have to play a team game. SAIT is a bit of a run-and-gun team and we will have to play some defence."
SAIT Trojans 11 wins 13 losses 57 goals for 60 goals against
Top scorers: Shealee Dolan 7 goals 10 assists 17 points, Jessyka Holt 6 goals 10 assists 16 points, Taylor Beck 9 goals 6 assists 15 points
Goals Against Average: Emma Greenwood 2.46
Penalty Minutes: 189
Power Play Goals: 18
Short Handed Goals: 1
Coach Terry Larson: "It's like they say… it is a new season, now that we are in the playoffs and we are changing some of the things we do, to make it more effective. We know NAIT and we know what to expect from them.
"It's going to be tough hockey. They are in-your-face all of the time and they are hardworking and they battle hard.
"Defensively our defence is strong and we have a lot of good shots from the point, so we need to build on that.
"As of late, our line of Taylor Beck, Shea lee Dolan and Jessyka Holt have been scoring a lot of goals and we need to keep that up. We also have a few other lines putting the puck in the net for us at this time.
"We have no injuries and everyone is healthy and no bugs…knock on wood."
Regular Season Matchup: NAIT 5 SAIT 4, October 14, 2016; NAIT 3 SAIT 1, October 15, 2016; SAIT 5 NAIT 4 (2OT), January 13, 2017; NAIT 5 SAIT 2, January 14, 2017; SAIT 3 NAIT 2 (OT) February 17, 2017; NAIT 4 SAIT 1, February 18, 2017
NAIT won series 4 games to 2 outscoring SAIT 23-16.
Red Deer vs MacEwan
Red Deer 14 wins 10 losses 61 goals for 47 goals against
Top scorers: Ashley Graf 7 goals, 14 assists 21 points, Jade Petrie 10 goals 8 assists 18 points, Emily Swier 7 goals 10 assists 17 points
Goals Against Average: Tracie Kikuchi 1.87
Penalty Minutes: 288
Power Play Goals: 18
Short Handed Goals: 9
Coach Kelly Coulter: "The one thing we want to work on against MacEwan, is generating more shots on the net as they try to keep you to the outside.
I think both of our goaltenders have had a good year .
We've had a few injuries but the bye-weekend has helped and given us some rest and we are hoping they are 100%.
We will look to our veterans like Cassidy Anderson and Emily Swier along with Ashley Graf, Jade Petrie and Rikki Smith to have a good series.
It's been an up-and- down season for us and since Christmas we have struggled a bit at home and dealt with some adversity.
Their (MacEwan) goaltenders have had a good year and that is something we will have to focus on. Plus their rookie Jillian MacWilliam (6 goals 5 assists) has had a good season.
They have good speed and you have to be aware of that at all times. They are an explosive team out of their own end."
MacEwan 16 wins 8 losses 57 goals for 27 goals against
Top scorers: Michelle Pochapsky 7 goals 8 assists 15 points, Raven Beazer 6 goals 9 assists 15 points,
Goals Against Average: Sandy Helm 1.45
Penalty Minutes: 208
Power Play Goals: 18
Short Handed Goals: 2
Coach Lindsay MacAlpine: "We are healthy and four lines deep with some big D men. Anytime you get into a three-game series, it's the depth of the bench that is key.
Our group has been really good and the focus of conversation during the year has been in finding consistency in the emotional investment and now that everything is on the line it will be easier.
The biggest key on Red Deer is that they have some potential offensive players. Shutting down players like Ashley Graf and Jade Petrie will be key for us along with playing to our own strengths."
Regular Season Matchup: Red Deer 3 MacEwan 1, November 2, 106; Red Deer 2 MacEwan 0, November 5, 2016; MacEwan 2 Red Deer 1, November 19, 2016; Red Deer 3 MacEwan 0, November 20, 2016; MacEwan 6 Red Deer 3, January 26, 2017; Red Deer 1 MacEwan 0, January 28, 2017
Red Deer won series 4-2 outscoring MacEwan 13-9