HKY: Brandt, Keller shine in conference debuts
Brandt impresses in Griffins CW debut; Keller scores three for Bisons
VANCOUVER - After impressive debuts over the opening weekend of the 2021-22 season, MacEwan's Riley Brandt and Manitoba's Ashley Keller were named Canada West Hockey Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.
Brandt led the Griffins to their first two wins in conference history, while Keller, a first-year for the Bisons, racked up four points in a season opening sweep.
Brandt, a third-year forward, scored three goals in an historic weekend for the MacEwan Griffins. Playing in their first Canada West season, the Griffins chalked up their first two wins in the conference with a weekend sweep of the Regina Cougars.
On Friday, Brandt assisted on the game's opening goal before adding a goal of his own in the second period to get the Griffins out to a 2-0 lead en route to a 4-3 win.
The Trail, B.C. product opened up the scoring on Saturday with his second goal of the weekend, this time on the power-play. After Regina had cut the lead to just one at 3-2 in the third period, Brandt would get it done with the man advantage again notching his second power-play goal of the game helping MacEwan to a 5-2 win.
The Griffins (2-0) will play their first Canada West games at home this weekend, with a two-game series against the Calgary Dinos (1-1). Both games are available live and on-demand on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.
Game log:
Oct. 15 - 1 goal, 1 assist in 4-3 W at Regina
Oct. 16 - 2 goals, 5-2 W at Regina
It was a perfect start to a Canada West career for Bisons rookie Ashley Keller.
The first-year forward from Winnipeg helped Manitoba to a pair of wins over the Calgary Dinos, racking up four points.
Keller's first goal on Friday night came early in the second period, tying the game up at two, while the second came as an insurance goal with the Calgary net empty late in the third. Keller also added an assist in the Bisons 6-4 season opening win.
On Saturday, Keller added a third goal of the weekend, capping off a string of five-straight second period Bisons goals in Manitoba's 5-2 win.
The Bisons (2-0) will make the trek to the coast for a pair of games against the UBC Thunderbirds (2-0) next weekend. Both games are available live and on-demand on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.
Game log:
Oct. 15 - 2 goals, 1 assist in 6-4 W vs Calgary
Oct. 16 - 1 goal, 5-2 W vs Calgary