RED DEER – The AEHL U18 AAA regular season has wrapped up and the post season is finally here!
Twelve teams qualified for the playoffs, with the Calgary Buffaloes and Airdrie Bisons kicking things off on Wednesday, February 26th. The remaining three series will begin the following day, February 27.
After a tremendous regular season that saw a tight playoff race right until the final games, four teams have earned first-round byes due to being the top two teams in each division. The league-leading Calgary Flames went 27-6-4-1, placing them first with 59 points. The Calgary Northstars placed second in the south division capturing 49 points with a record of 21-10-2-5.
The St. Albert Raiders finished first in the north division, scoring the most goals this season (192) and finished the season with the best goal differential with +84. The Raiders finished with a record of 27-7-1-3 good enough for 58 points. They were followed closely by the Sherwood Park Kings with a record of 23-9-2-4 and 52 points.
Okotoks Oilers forward Adam Halat claimed the league’s scoring title, posting 25 goals and 59 points in 36 games. His teammate Kaden Hayes was the leagues leading goal scorer with 27 goals in 38 games. Sherwood Park King’s goaltender Connor Knorr finished with the best goals-against-average (2.22) and save percentage (.930). Kai Zurowski of the St. Albert Raiders had the most wins on the season with 15.
All series are best-of-three. The first round matchups are as followed.
North Division Quarterfinals (winners play (1) St. Albert Raiders and (2) SPKAC Ennis Fabrics Kings)
(3) Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue vs (6) LJAC Wilhauk Jerky Oil Kings
(4) Edmonton Jr. Oilers Orange vs (5) Fort Saskatchewan Strike Group Rangers
South Division Quarterfinals (winners play (1) Calgary United Pacific Projects (NW) Flames and (2) Calgary Northstars)
(3) Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers vs (6) Calgary Royals
(4) Calgary Cannex Buffaloes vs (5) Airdrie CFR Bisons
For complete schedules and links to FloHockey broadcasts, check out the Playoffs tab on the U18 AAA Website.
