Ooks win tight battle over Griffins on Saturday night

EDMONTON, Alta. – In a familiar position as years past, the NAIT Ooks finished off the Grant MacEwan Griffins 3-1 on Saturday night to solidify their #1 seed heading into the ACAC hockey championships starting next week.

In a tightly contested battle that saw physical play throughout the night and many powerplays both directions, the NAIT Ooks were ultimately able to avenge a loss to the same Griffins from the night before and head into the playoff bye week coming off a win and feeling good about where they are as a team.

After scoreless first period, the Ooks scored early in the second period and would never relinquish that lead. A late goal by the Griffins tightened the game in the third period before an empty net goal sealed their fate,

The Ooks honored six players for their senior night: Colton Waltz, Jake Mykitiuk, Devon McAndrews, Brayden Harris, Tyler Kunz, and Brenden Jensen,

The win means NAIT finished the season with a 13-1 record and completes the season series over the Grant MacEwan Griffins 3-1.

Players of the Game

NAIT Ooks – Brendan Jensen

Grant MacEwan Griffins – Ryan Mckinnon

The Big Picture

NAIT Ooks – 24-4-0-0 - First in the ACAC

Grant MacEwan Griffins – 20-7-1-0 – Third place in the ACAC north division

What's Next?

NAIT Ooks will take the week off as the #1 seed for the ACAC Championships, getting a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

Grant MacEwan Griffins will play the Concordia Thunder in the Quarterfinals of the ACAC Championships.