SUNDAY - THE AJHL'S NORTH & WHL STUFF

GRANDE PRAIRIE ADVANCES TO FINAL

It'll be an all North Final. The Grande Prairie Storm put the finishing touches on the Brooks Bandits last night on home ice, winning 3-2 and taking the semi-final series 4 games to 1 in the process. Former Olds Grizzly Goalie Chad Carter made 17 saves in the win, while his offense was story in Game 5 - launching 37 shots on Robb Gunderson in the Bandits net. The Storm will now advance to the Enerflex Cup Final to play the Spruce Grove Saints.


SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Brooks Bandits at 4:13 - John Stimson from Chris Markiewicz and Jarret Granberg

Grande Prairie Storm at 14:34 - Zahn Raubenheimer from Dennis Rix

PERIOD 2

Grande Prairie Storm at 8:22 (PP) - Carter Rowney from Adam Young

Brooks Bandits at 18:24 (PP) - Jarret Granberg from Cam Creighton and Chris Markiewicz

PERIOD 3

Grande Prairie Storm at 16:30 - Brenden Turnbull from Morgan MacLean

INTERESTING TO NOTE
Brooks did not win a single playoff game away from home ice this year. The Bandits were a great home team in the regular season and in the playoffs but for some reason couldn't transfer their home ice success to the road.

IN THIS BLOGGERS OPINION
This is why the AJHL's cross over shouldn't take place until the Finals. To me it makes so much more sense to have an actual Southern and Northern Champion and then to have them square off against each other. I'm not saying the results would have been any different, lets be honest Spruce Grove and Grande Prairie are both great teams, but it would at least offer some sense of closure for teams like the Brooks Bandits and Olds Grizzlys. To hold the cross-over off until the final would also, for the most part be more cost efficient for teams. Gas, Food, the number of nights spent in a Hotel - it all adds up, and for some teams in this league, every little bit matters. And finally it would be more of a rallying cry for fans from each division. To be honest, I've lost a lot of interest in the Finals. Keeping an eye on a team in finals that met up with the Grizzlys six times in the regular season and most likely a series in the playoffs just seems more appealing.
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THE WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE

There's only a pair of First Round Tilts left to go in the WHL's post-season - both of which have Central Alberta representation.

Sundre's Austin Fyten and the Lethbridge Hurricanes have a 3 games to 2 series lead over the Saskatoon Blades. The Hurricanes were the 7th seeded team in the East entering the playoffs while the Blades were the 2nd. Game 6 goes from Lethbridge on Monday.

Meantime Didsbury's Bretton Cameron and the Medicine Hat Tigers will try to avoid elimination tonight when they play host to the Swift Current Broncos in Game 6. The Broncos have a 3 games to 2 lead. Swift Current was the 4th seed in the East while the Tigers were the 5th.

CENTRAL ALBERTANS MOVING ON
Calgary Hitmen - The Hitmen swept the Oil Kings out of the playoffs in Round 1. Keep an eye on Chase Schaber and Paul Postma both out of Red Deer.

Vancouver Giants - The Giants downed the Prince George Cougars in 4 straight games to advance to Round 2. Keep an eye on former Olds Grizzly Tyson Sexsmith from Priddis and Lance Bouma out of Provost.

Tri-City Americans - The Americans are off to Round 2 after downing the Everit Silvertips 3 games to 1. Keep an eye on Justin Feser out of Red Deer.

Kelowna Rockets - The Rockets swept the Kamloops Blazers out of the playoff pictures. Keep an eye on Hanna's Ryley Grantham.

Spokane Chiefs - The Chiefs ousted the Seattle Thunderbirds in 5 Games. Keep an eye on former Olds Grizzly Steve Kuhn from Oyen along with Cochrane's Trevor Glass and Justin McCrae.