ACAC Women's Hockey Semi-finals
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
Entering the 18th Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) women's hockey postseason, the Olds College Broncos are making their first-ever appearance.
This is the third year in women's hockey play for Olds, who finished fifth in the five-team conference its first two seasons.
This year they have advanced by edging the SAIT Trojans by four points at the end of the regular season.
Below are a look at the best-of-three semifinals.
Semi-Final 1
MacEwan University Griffins vs. Olds College Broncos
Olds at MacEwan Thursday Feb 22, 2018 7 p.m.; MacEwan at Olds Saturday Feb 24, 2018 2:30 p.m.; Sunday February 25, 2018 Olds at MacEwan 1 p.m. if necessary
MacEwan University Griffins
Record: 18 wins 3 losses 3 overtime losses 70 goals for 34 goals against
Current: 5 Game Win Streak
ACAC Championships: 2
Coach: Lindsay MacAlpine
Top Scorers: Carley Jewell 6 goals 14 assists 20 points 24 games; Chantal Ricker 10 goals 3 assists 13 points 19 games; Raven Beazer 4 goals 7 assists 11 points 21 games
"Olds is a team that never quits," said Griffins coach Lindsay MacAlpine. "We saw that in that double overtime loss to them. They have good work ethic and that is the strength of their team. I think that our mindset is that we cannot get ahead of ourselves and we must concentrate on Olds first."
Of the Griffins current five-game win streak?
"We took it game-by-game and the momentum heading into (the playoffs) is good to have."
Of the team's health?
"Of my eight years coaching here, this is the most injury struggles we have had. I hope everyone is back and healthy and we should be set to go Thursday."
Olds College Broncos
Record: 6 wins 17 losses 1 overtime loss 31 goals for 77 goals against
Current: 5 Game Loss Streak
ACAC Championships: 0
Coach: Chris Leeming
Top Scorers: Krista Wilson 4 goals 7 assists 11 points 23 games, Tori Chenier 6 goals 3 assists 9 points 23 games
Matchup: Olds Broncos are on a five-game losing streak, having not been on the winning end since January 25, 2018 when they beat the host Red Deer Queens 1-0 in double overtime.
The MacEwan Griffins are currently on a five-game winning streak, having last tasted defeat January 26, 2018 to the host NAIT Ooks 3-1.
With six meetings between the Broncos and Griffins during the 2017-2018 ACAC regular season, the Griffins came out on top of the series, winning five with the lone loss a double overtime November 10, 2017 2-1.
Griffins had outscored the Broncos 23 to seven in the series.
Semi-Final 2
NAIT Ooks vs. Red Deer College Queens
Red Deer at NAIT Friday Feb 23, 2018 7 p.m.; NAIT at Red Deer Saturday Feb 24, 2018 8 p.m.; Sunday February 25, 2018 Red Deer at NAIT 6:30 p.m. if necessary
NAIT Ooks
Record: 18 wins 4 losses 2 overtime losses 82 goals for 34 goals against
Current: 2 Games Lost Streak
ACAC Championships: 3
Coach: Deanna Martin
Top Scorers: Kendra Hanson 13 goals 13 assists 26 points 20 games; Verca Kuželová 14 goals 7 assists 21 points 24 games; Alica Mihaliková 7 goals 10 assists 17 points 22 games; Carlin Boey 5 goals 12 assists 17 points 24 games
Asked if having four-of-the-five top scorers in ACAC action, would guarantee success in the postseason, head coach Deanna Martin replied.
"I think you normally would think so, but with Red Deer being one of the strongest defensive teams, it is an ironic matchup. We will see if it is true what wins games...offense or defence?
"If we can expand ourselves defensively and they expand themselves offensively...that may be the deciding factor.
"Right now we are happy with all three lines and all have a different job to do. We are confident in both of our goalies and that for sure is our strength.
"We have to stick to what we have being doing and just do a better job. The key is not to change the mentality."
Red Deer College Queens
Record: 14 wins 5 losses 5 overtime loss 47 goals for 36 goals against
Current: 3 Game Win Streak
ACAC Championships: 3
Coach: Kelly Coulter
Top Scorers: Jade Petrie 10 goals 6 assists 16 points 24 games; Julia Murrell 10 goals 3 assists 13 points 24 games
Of playing against a high-octane offence like the Ooks, Red Deer coach Kelly Coulter said.
"They are gifted offensively and you have to be aware of where they are at all times. We also have to get some pucks on net and create traffic in front of their goaltenders."
Of the possibility of three games in three days?
"They are hockey players and they did that in their midget career. To me it is great."
Match-up: Meeting six times during the regular season, the teams split down the middle with the Queens winning the last two games held February 15-17 by 2-1 scores.
Overall in the series the Ooks outscored the Queens 11 to six.
In their four only other games in February, the Ooks were convincing with four wins behind 26 goals for and only five goals against.