Lethal power play leads Griffins to big win over Broncos

Zachary Dean / For MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON - Special teams were the difference Saturday night as the MacEwan Griffins women's hockey team defeated the Olds College Broncos 6-1 at the Downtown Community Arena.

Both teams found themselves in the sin bin on a regular basis, but it was the Griffins who found the back of the net three times on nine opportunities, while the Broncos scored just one power goal on six chances.

"Our power play has done really well," said Griffins forward Karlie Bell. "We've been really focusing on it and it's really been picking up."

The Griffins played well throughout the game, executing crisp outlet passes that led to many odd-women rushes and partial breakaways.

Raven Beazer had a big night for MacEwan, finishing with four assists. After being robbed on a one timer by Broncos' goalie Catalina Hartland, she collected the puck and set up Michelle Pochapsky in the slot for the game-winning goal just 54 seconds into the second period.

"(Beazer is) always a very consistent player," said Bell. "She doesn't always get enough credit, but she's always grinding away."

A lot of MacEwan's success was generated by taking shots from the point and then either deflecting the puck or crashing the net. Jill MacWilliam was one of the many to benefit from this strategy. The speedy forward scored two goals, including the opening goal just 2:24 into the game after pouncing on a rebound.

"She's been a good add-on to our team," Bell said of MacWilliam, who is a rookie this season. "She actually scored her first goal when we played (the Broncos) on Thursday and continued it, so hopefully we can keep getting her to score."

Broncos' forward Chelsea Broadhead showed why she is one of the best in the ACAC. She scored her team's lone goal to bring her to 11 on the season. She remains the second highest goal scorer in the conference, and is only one behind NAIT's Carlin Boey.

A few other Griffins also found the scoresheet multiple times. Pochapsky added to her team lead in points with a goal and assist, while Nikki Reimer scored two goals of her own. Chantal Ricker and Carley Jewell each had two points as well.

Saturday's win was the Griffins' 10th of the season and they improved to 8-1 at home. They remain three points back of NAIT and Red Deer College for the ACAC lead.

Olds College falls to 4-12-0 and remains last in the conference.

MacEwan's next game is January 20 against SAIT (7 p.m., DCA).