by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) men's hockey semi-finals are set with a best-of-three series starting this Friday.

University of Alberta Augustana Vikings will take on the NAIT Ooks while the Red Deer Kings drop the puck against the MacEwan University Griffins.

Below are thumbnail sketches of the respective series.

University of Alberta Augustana Vikings vs. NAIT Ooks

Regular season series
NAIT 3 Augustana 2  Double Overtime October 6, 2017
NAIT 5 Augustana 1  October 7, 2017
NAIT 4 Augustana 3 January 5, 2018
NAIT 7 Augustana 6 Double Overtime January 6, 2018
NAIT swept four-game regular season series, outscoring Augustana 19-to-12.

University of Alberta Augustana Vikings

Record: 17 wins 8 losses 3 overtime losses 126 goals for 87 goals against
ACAC Championships: 2
Coach: Blaine Gusdal 
Arena: Encana Arena

Three Stars
Travis Mayan  12 goals 12 assists 32 points
Mitch McMullin 16 goals 14 assists 30 points
Owen Sobchak 6 goals 23 assists 29 points

"The big thing right now is that we build on the confidence that we had during the final games of the regular season, beating Concordia (6-3 Feb. 23, 2018 and 4-2 Feb 24, 2018) and then the huge wins against SAIT," said head coach Blaine Gusdal. "We have to continue to build on that work ethic. The guys we have been going with since January are healthy and ready to go and are focused on the task at hand."

Of the NAIT Ooks confrontation?

"They have a culture of driving for championships and they have that moxie and we have to match that and match what they bring to the table."

University of Alberta Augustana Vikings beat the SAIT Trojans 3-0 and 5-2 in their quarter final matchup with second-year forward Adam Osczevski notching two goals in the series.

NAIT Ooks

Record: 21 wins 3 losses 3 overtime losses 1 tie 131 goals for 59 goals against
ACAC Championships: 16
Coach: Tim Fragle
Arena: NAIT Arena

Three Stars
Jake Mykitiuk 15 goals 27 assists 42 points
Ty Stanton  9 goals 20 assists 29 points
Francis Menard  8 goals 18 assists 26 points

With the postseason bye, the last time the Ooks played was Saturday February 24, 2018.

Of the break, head coach Tim Fragle says: "It allows us to heal up and put ourselves in a better position.

"We are still waiting on two guys to see if they will be available."

Of the regular season matchup against the Vikings, which went in favour of NAIT 4-0, "They were all tight games. When we play Augustana, we expect one goal games against a team that is physical and hard to play against.

"It will be a team effort and we are looking forward to see how (Ooks goalie) Nathan Park will handle the postseason."

Red Deer Kings vs. MacEwan University Griffins

Regular season series

MacEwan 6 Red Deer 2 November 3, 2017
MacEwan 4 Red Deer 1 November 4, 2017
Red Deer 5 MacEwan 4 Double Overtime January 26, 2018
MacEwan 2 Red Deer 1 January 27, 2018
MacEwan won four-game series 3-1 outscoring the Kings 16 to 9.

Red Deer Kings

Record: 19 wins 7 losses 2 overtime losses 109 goals for 73 goals against
ACAC Championships: 8
Coach: Trevor Keeper
Arena: Penhold Arena

Three Stars
Tyler Berkholtz  16 goals 22 assists 38 points
Tanner Butler  12 goals 21 assists 33 points
Lynnden Pastachak 9 goals 21 assists 30 points

"Things are looking pretty good and we are completely healthy," said Kings coach Trevor Keeper. "Our special teams have been coming around. They were good all year but we feel that we are just ironing out some of the kinks right now.

"MacEwan has a deep roster and a lot of skill. They are well-coached and have good tactics and special teams. We match up really well and it will be a good series."

In the best-of-three quarterfinals, the Kings defeated the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder 8-1 and 4-3.

Brothers' Chase and Dylan Thudium along with Scott Ferguson, each had two markers for the Kings in their sweep of the Thunder. All  three players are from Sylvan Lake, Alberta.

"The two brothers and Scott played some minor hockey together and they grew up beside each other as neighbours. So, there is some natural chemistry out there on the ice."

MacEwan University Griffins

Record: 20 wins 7 losses 1 overtime loss 105 goals for 68 goals against
ACAC Championships: 2
Coach: Michael Ringrose
Arena: Downtown Community Arena

Three Stars
Brett Njaa 15 goals 17 assists 32 points
Brett Smythe 13 goals 15 assists 28 points
Tyler Mrkonjic 7 goals 19 assists 26 points

Last time the ACAC defending champion Griffins lost a regular season game was January 26, 2018 in a 5-4 double overtime to the Red Deer Kings.

Since then they have been on a seven-game win streak, outscoring their ACAC opponents 26-to-11.

"For us it has always been about the process," said head coach Michael Ringrose. "We are good at parking ourselves and realizing that the previous results has no influence the next time you step on the ice.

"The focus is now on Red Deer. They are a good team that is four lines deep and they are dynamic when they are on the ice. We have to be prepared."

Of the postseason bye which saw them last play February 24, 2018, a 2-1 decision over Briercrest College, "You get time to recharge the battery and make sure everyone is healthy and ready to go. We will go into the series without that many nicks."

ACAC Men's Hockey Championship website  http://www.acac.ab.ca/tournament/mhockey/2017-18/index