HKY: CGY, MRU forwards soak up the spotlight
Gricius, Jomha named CW Players of the Week
CALGARY – Calgary's Jake Gricius and Mount Royal's Aliya Jomha were named the Canada West Hockey Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.
In a game that was built up across the city, Gricius rose to the big moment Friday evening in Calgary's Crowchild Classic.
The game brings together the Dinos and Mount Royal Cougars at the Scotiabank Saddledome to an NHL-sized backdrop of student fans, rocking the building with energy. The Dinos also had their CW record-tying 17-game win streak on the line with the Cougars hungry to snap it.
After Mount Royal jumped out to a first-period lead, Gricius netted a one-timer over the Cougars' sliding goalie to even the score. He then assisted on the Dinos' next two goals, including a beautiful three-touch game winner that set up teammate Colson Gengenbach in the slot.
His played helped the Dinos to the conference record 18 straight wins, and they did it against the conference's second-best defence.
The second-year Colorado Springs, CO product didn't let Friday's momentum die, putting up two goals in Saturday's rematch. The first came off a perfectly placed one-timer while the second was a lethal wrist shot from the top of the circle.
His efforts helped the Dinos to a 4-0 victory, keeping their win streak alive at 19.
Gricius and the Dinos will go for their 20th straight win Friday when they host the Manitoba Bisons at 7 p.m. MST. The rematch goes Saturday at 3 p.m. MST. You can catch Friday's action on TELUS Optik TV. Both games will be available on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Jan. 27: 1 goal, 2 assists in 4-2 W vs MRU
Jan. 28: 2 goals in 4-0 W at MRU
Meanwhile, Mount Royal's Aliya Jomha helped her team to four key points over the weekend.
Jomha was a star in the Crowchild Classic, where the Cougars matched up against the Calgary Dinos on NHL ice. She was the lone skater to find the back of the net in the shootout, making the Dinos' goaltender bite on a deke before finishing with her forehand.
Jomha showed the big stage is where she belongs, giving her Cougars the victory in front of an electric crowd.
The second-year forward carried that energy with her Saturday, scoring in the second period to put her team up two. After winning the face-off in the Dinos' zone, Jomha drove the front of the net for a return pass and notched a quick one-timer past the Calgary goalie.
She assisted on MRU's third and final goal of the game, putting her fingerprints all over the Cougars' two victories this weekend.
The sweep puts some distance between Mount Royal and the middle of the pack in the CW standings as they jostle for position a few weeks before playoffs.
Jomha and the Cougars will be back on the ice Friday when they host MacEwan at 7 p.m. MST. They'll then travel to Edmonton for a 5 p.m. rematch Saturday. You can catch all the action exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Jan. 27: 1 shootout goal in 1-0 SOW vs CGY
Jan. 28: 1 goal, 1 assist in 3-0 W at CGY