Cougars looking to reclaim ACHA crown
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/03/2025 (188 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
After a three-week hiatus, the Assiniboine Cougars are ready.
Ready to begin the long journey to St. Louis, but even more so, ready to reclaim what they feel belongs to them.
After winning 22 of 26 regular season games this year, the focus is firmly set on the American Collegiate Hockey Association national championship, which gets underway next week.
The Assiniboine Cougars have been enjoying the last two weeks of practise but know it will soon be time to get back to business. Kasey Fouillard and Lexy Waddell share a laugh at one of the team’s final tune-ups ahead of the ACHA championship. (Matt Packwood/The Brandon Sun)
Returning players learned some hard lessons the past two trips to the ACHA Division 2 national championship, having lost in the final last year and the semifinals the year prior.
Returning veterans are ready to combine those experiences with what they’ve gained this year and look to bring the banner back north of the border.
Considering the break, the team’s intensity is high and they are more than ready to roll.
“You’re always worried about not just the physical side but the mental side,” said head coach David Kirkup.
“Keeping the head in the game and staying sharp mentally. They’ve done a fantastic job of that. They know what it’s going to take to win a championship and they’ve come to practice focused and I think we’re ready to go.”
After first capturing the national banner in 2019, the Cougars made return trips to nationals in each of the past three years and gained another banner to add to the collection in 2022.
For players that were on the team the last two years, it’s banner or bust, even knowing how difficult the road ahead will be.
“We’ve got a very close group and they’ve bonded very well,” said Kirkup.
“They bought into what we’re trying to do, they’re pushing each other to be their best. The ones that have been to nationals have a bit of a sour taste in their mouths from the loss in the final last year and they want revenge.”
The Cougars open the draw against teams they haven’t yet seen this year in the preliminary round. Entering as one of the top-ranked teams, they’re not giving any thought to whether that puts a target on their backs.
Cougars Coach David Kirkup provides some final instruction ahead of his team’s departure for the ACHA women’s hockey division two championship. (Matt Packwood/The Brandon Sun)
They’re simply focusing on what they control.
“We need to play our best, play a full 60 minutes, stay mentally sharp and shut down the other team’s offence. If we play solid defensively and protect the puck well the rest will fall into place,” said Kirkup.
With a line-up that features experienced vets at every position, fast and dynamic forwards, and a solid defensive corps that is backstopped by a great goalie tandem, you can see why confidence is high.
The goaltending tandem of Payton Murray and Rachel Halldorson minded the Cougars’ net spectacularly all season long, Halldorson posting a .963 save percentage and a 1.06 goals against average while Murray had a .956 save percentage to go with a 0.94 goals against average.
Halldorson was named to ACHA all-athletic team this past week but it really could have gone to either goalie, as the two split the load all season long.
Most importantly they provide Kirkup with a tremendous net presence and peace of mind knowing he has two very solid options, considering the load of five games in five days should they reach the final.
“Championships are built on defence and ours starts in the net,” said Kirkup.
“Going into a championship like this it’s impossible to choose one over the other, and in reality we’ll likely need both. We’re going to see who’s playing well going in, and I’ve got confidence in both of them. They’re both not only great goaltenders, they both battle hard and both have a great desire to win.”
“To reach that final means you play five games in five days, so if one needs a rest it’s nice to know we have options. It’s definitely one of our team’s strengths,” Kirkup added.
Cougars goaltenders Payton Murray (left) and Rachel Halldorson (right) speak with assistant coach Jeff Moore at one of the team’s final on-ice training sessions before ACHA nationals. (Matt Packwood/The Brandon Sun)
After ending the regular season on a high of winning ten in a row, they’ve bonded even further will fun yet intense training sessions.
The team has its final practice today before loading the bus on Sunday. The team’s bus will slowly make its way down to Missouri loaded with team gear before the team flies out of Winnipeg on Wednesday.
The Cougars will open against the Providence College Friars next Friday before playing Central Michigan Saturday and Eastern Michigan Sunday in the preliminary round.
Should the Cougars advance to the playoff round opponents for those games will be determined following the openers.
The semifinals and final will take place March 24 and 25, respectively.
» mpackwood@brandonsun.com