The Grande Prairie Storm remain undefeated in the playoffs after completing the sweep over Whitecourt on April 8th.
The boys squeaked out a narrow 6-5 overtime win- securing them a spot in the AJHL finals for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
Storm Executive Director Nicole Menzies says while the city was quite hopeful to secure a spot in the finale, nothing is guaranteed in the playoffs, so closing it out, especially in overtime, is “indescribable.”
“What an incredible moment that was last night, that goal in the first 17 seconds, it was just- it’s indescribable,” she says. “I think everyone was hoping, but with playoff hockey, just one bounce can completely send the game in the other direction, it was close the whole game, Whitecourt played amazingly well, as they always do, and our guys just really stepped up.”
The two teams went goal-for-goal nearly all game long, until the Storm’s Carter Streek sent his second to the back of the net early in the third. Grande Prairie held onto the one goal lead for ten minutes, until the Wolverines’ Jalen Bianchet answered with one of his own, with less than five minutes left in regular time.
“I think everybody collectively held their breath,” Menzies says.
It ended up being a short overtime after all, with Storm forward Chayse Laurie sneaking one by just 17 seconds in.
Throughout the regular season, the big story for the Storm, aside from boasting one of their best seasons in recent memory, has been the unmatched attendance at Bonnetts Energy Centre. Players, coaches, and senior leadership have all suggested the reason for the team’s success this year has come largely due to fan support. Menzies says the sheer amount of fans that show up for Storm games is unlike anywhere else in the league, creating an energy that can only be felt at home.
“There’s something really special about Bonnetts Energy Centre- I firmly believe it is one of the nicest Junior A arenas in all of Canada,” she says. “I know the team loves playing in front of that big hometown crowd- GP has been known for having an incredible fanbase.”
“When you get that many people in this building, it’s just electric.”
Drumheller is currently trailing Calgary 0-3, and Grande Prairie will know their finals opponent by April 15th at the latest.
