SAINTS SWEPT BY STORMThe Grande Prairie Storm have pulled off the upset - and have done so in dominating fashion.
The Storm completed a 4 game sweep over the Spruce Grove Saints last night.
Morgan MacLean scored his 2nd goal of the contest in double over time, in turn giving his team a 4-3 win and the title of 2008-2009 AJHL Champions.
Former Grizzly Netminder Chad Carder stopped 35 of 38 shots in the win for Grande Prairie while Vincenzo Marrozi made 45 saves in the loss for Canada's Number 1 Ranked Spruce Grove.
The Storm's AJHL Championship comes just 5 years apart from their last when in 2003-2004 G.P hoisted the then Rogers Wireless Cup.
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1 |
Grande Prairie Storm at 6:10 (PP) - Adam Young (unassisted) |
Spruce Grove Saints at 11:30 - Scott Allen from Josh Keizer and Brendan Lines |
PERIOD 2 |
Grande Prairie Storm at 7:45 (PP) - Morgan MacLean from Tanner Fritz and Dennis Rix |
Grande Prairie Storm at 14:59 (SH) - Blake Clement from Zahn Raubenheimer |
PERIOD 3 |
Spruce Grove Saints at 14:48 (PP) - Nate Fleming (unassisted) |
Spruce Grove Saints at 19:39 - Curt Morrison from Brett Cameron |
OVERTIME PERIOD 2 |
Grande Prairie Storm at 11:50 - Morgan MacLean from Blake Clement |
ROWNEY NAMED MVP
Though he was held of the scoring sheet last night, Grande Prairie Carter Rowney was named the 2008-2009 Playoff MVP.
The 19 year-old Rowney from Sexsmith, Alberta scored 3 game winning goals, 7 power play goals adding to his 18 points in 19 post-season games.
While despite playing in only 15 games, Grizzlys forward Jordan Kwas finished in a tie for 3rd in post-season scoring with 20 points - good for a 1.3 points per game average.

THE LIST
With their Championship the Grande Prarie Storm join an exclusive club of teams to reach AJHL Glory.
AJHL Champions2008-09 __ Grande Prairie Storm2007-08 __ Camrose Kodiaks
2006-07 __ Camrose Kodiaks
2005-06 __ Fort McMurray Oil Barons
2004-05 __ Camrose Kodiaks
2003-04 __ Grande Prairie Storm
2002-03 __ Camrose Kodiaks
2001-02 __ Drayton Valley
2000-01 __ Camrose Kodiaks
1999-00 __ Fort McMurray Oil Barons
1998-99 __ Calgary Canucks
1997-98 __ St. Albert Saints
1996-97 __ Fort McMurray Oil Barons
1995-96 __ St. Albert Saints
1994-95 __ Calgary Canucks
1993-94 __ Olds Grizzlys
1992-93 __ Olds Grizzlys
1991-92 __ Olds Grizzlys
1999-91 __ Calgary Royals
1989-90 __ Calgary Canucks
1988-89 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1987-88 __ Calgary Canucks
1986-87 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1985-86 __ Calgary Canucks
1984-85 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1983-84 __ Fort Saskatchewan Traders
1982-83 __ Calgary Canucks
1981-82 __ St. Albert Saints
1980-81 __ St. Albert Saints
1979-80 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1978-79 __ Fort Saskatchewan Traders
1977-78 __ Calgary Canucks
1976-77 __ Calgary Canucks
1975-76 __ Spruce Grove Mets
1974-75 __ Spruce Grove Mets
1973-74 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1972-73 __ Calgary Canucks
1971-72 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1970-71 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1969-70 __ Red Deer Rustlers
1968-69 __ Lethbridge Sugar Kings
1967-68 __ Edmonton Western Movers
1966-67 __ Edmonton Western Movers
1965-66 __ Calgary Buffaloes
1964-65 __ Calgary Buffaloes
WHAT'S NEXT
The Grande Prairie Storm will now face off against the BCHL League Champion in the 2009 Edition of the Doyle Cup.
The Storm will face the winner of the Vernon Vipers - Powell River Kings BCHL Championship Series.
The Doyle Cup kicks off on April 17th in British Columbia with the winner qualifying for the 2009 RBC Cup National Junior 'A' Championships in Victoria.
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HASSELBERG OFF TO TIMMONS
Grizzly's Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg has been named an Assistant Coach for Team Pacific at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Hasselberg will work under Head Coach Micheal Dyck of the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the upcoming tournament which is made up of 10 teams from the Atlantic Region, the Ontario Region, the Pacific Region, the Quebec Region and the West Region along with International teams from Germany, Russia, Finland, Slovakia, and the United States.
Hasselberg, who's been the Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Olds Grizzlys for the past 4 years, says he looking forward to the opportunity.
"It's a possition I've been applying for for the past couple of season's now and I guess they felt I was ready," Hasselberg explained. "I'm very honored and proud to be apart of that program".
The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which bring together the worlds best players born in or later than 1993, will take place in Timmons, Ontario from December 28 to January 4th.
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GRIZZ SPRING CAMP WRAPS UP
The Olds Grizzlys wrapped up their annual spring camp on Sunday.
The team focused on skill development on Friday but for the rest of the weekend played a tournament style competition.
In the 'A' Final yesterday Team Grey coached by Grizzly Net-Minder Marc Boulanger and Defenseman Brendon Algeo blew out Team Black, coached by Grizzly Forwards Sean Neumier and Nic Bourgeois 8-0.
IN THIS BLOGGERS OPINIONBrendan Santini was a stand-out. The 6 foot 1 Winger scored two goals for Team Grey. Santini has actually already seen AJHL action, playing 1 game for the Grizzlys against the Calgary Royals last season where he notched an assist. The 15 year old was drafted in the 5th round by the Calgary Hitmen after an outstanding 2008 Campaign with the Calgary Northstar Sabers where he scored 20 goals and 38 points in 33 games played. This past season, with the Calgary 'AAA' Midget Northstars, Santini score 17 goals and 30 point in 33 games played.
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WHL RESULTS
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS Lethbridge Hurricanes 1 @
Calgary Hitmen 2 (Hitmen lead best-of-seven series 2 Games to none)
*Sundre's Austin Fyten was held pointless in Game 2Medicine Hat Tigers 6 @
Brandon Wheat Kings 8 (Wheat Kings lead best of seven series 2 Games to none)
*Didsbury's Bretton Camerson scored a goal for the Tiger in Game 2_____________________________________
BENTLEY PUNCHES TICKET TO STEINBACH The Bentley Generals are off to the Allan Cup.
The Generals downed the Fort Saint John Flyers 3-2 last night at the Red Deer Arena to win the Best-of-Five Alberta/B.C. 'AAA' Mens Final 3 games to 1.
The 2009 Allan Cup will be played in Steinbach, Manitoba April 13th to the 18th while as the Pacific Representation the Generals will kick off the tournament against the Host Steinbach Northstars on April 14th.
RUMOR MILL Earlier this year, it was rumored that Former Calgary Flames Great Theoren Fleury would suit up for the Northstars. Apparently Fleury, who's name is on the Roster, will wear number 74 during the Tournament.