Trojans start quick, move on to ACAC semis

CALGARY, ALTA., (March 8, 2020) - After chasing for the first two games, the Trojans decided to flip the script.

The SAIT Trojans men's hockey team led 3-0 after one period of play en route to a 6-2 victory in the deciding Game 3 of their Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) quarterfinal series against the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings Sunday night at SAIT Arena.

"For a change, we got off to a good start," said Trojans head coach Tyler Drader, whose team gave up the first goal in the previous two games - a 4-3 double overtime win on Friday, and a 2-1 loss on Saturday. "I feel like that was important for our group because we have been playing from behind a little too much. Having a good start tonight was key."

The Trojans will now move on the league's semifinals against the NAIT Ooks in what will be a rematch of last year's semifinal series, which NAIT won 2-1. 

Game 1 will go Friday night at NAIT at 7pm. Game 2 will be played at SAIT at 7pm on Saturday. Game 3, if needed, will be played back in Edmonton at 6:30pm on Sunday.

NAIT won the season series against SAIT, 3-1. That said, Drader is not one to look at the past - especially at this time of the year.

"I never really worry about what was done previously. It's playoffs and everything is different," he said. "Everything starts from scratch. We just need to play well to beat a good team."

Sunday's other Game 3 saw MacEwan defeat Concordia University of Edmonton 4-2 to move on to the other semifinal against Red Deer College.

SAIT started the scoring just 4:18 into the game when Eric Krienke (3rd year, Calgary, Business Administration) spun on the half wall and found Jackson McKinstry (3rd year, Calgary, Bachelor of Business Administration) driving to the net. McKinstry got a piece of the pass and re-directed it past Vikings goalie Curtis Skip.

Just over six minutes later, defensemen Kevin Massy (4th year, Victoria, BC, Bachelor of Business Administration) made it 2-0 off a point shot that beat Skip on the short side.

Fellow d-man Sam Stormoen (2nd year, Calgary, Petroleum Engineering Technology) scored what turned out to be the game-winner - again on a shot from distance that eluded Skip.

While SAIT dominated the first period, Augustana dominated the second. 

The Vikings scored twice, once off a turnover by SAIT at their own blue line, and the other on a poor defensive play by the Trojans at their blue line. Carter Danczak and Owen Lamb were the beneficiaries. 

"We just had to stay within ourselves, try push back and weather the storm a bit," said Massy about the second period comeback by the Vikings. "I think we did a good job of staying focused on the bench, and then we were able to come back out in the third and put it away."

Jared Power (1st year, Calgary, Business Administration) scored two of his team's third-period goals - the first coming just 92 seconds into the period to create a bit of creating room.

"There was still lots of clock left at that point, but it was definitely nice to get that fourth one," Drader added. "If it stays 3-2 for a long time, then the nerves start to set in. It was a big goal."

Dylan Williamson (1st year, Calgary, Business Administration) scored the other after missing on two great chances earlier on in the game.

Massy is in his fourth playoff run with the Trojans, but has never moved past the semifinals. He's hoping this year is the year it happens, but knows NAIT provides a difficult test.

"It's going to be a tough one for us, but every single guy in there thinks we have the team to do it," he said. "We'll just get back to work on Tuesday and prepare to battle hard."