Last year the Grande Prairie Storm wanted to make it to the postseason. This year they want the championship.
A lot has changed for the hockey team in the past year, as it clinched a spot in the playoffs weeks in advance and managed to secure fourth place in AJHL North Division and home ice advantage. The club hadn’t finished about seventh place in the last four years.
“There’s definitely a different feeling,” says Head Coach Matt Keillor. “Last year I think making the playoffs was the accomplishment; we were fighting tooth and nail right to the bitter end just to get in.”
The Storm will face the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the first round of the playoffs. The teams split their regular season series 3-3, with each going undefeated at home. Keillor says he feels good about the matchup.
“You look at the standings and the goals for and the goals against, the way the two teams are built, we’re very similar. The games have been very entertaining throughout the year, so fans should have a lot of fun.”
Based on the two teams’ records, starting the series at home was an important accomplishment for the Storm. Keillor adds that it’s an extra help having an arena packed with fans.
“It’s a huge advantage to us, I think, when teams come in here and play in front of crowds like that and experience what a junior A game in Grande Prairie… I really hope that the fans come out and support.”
Game one of the best-of-five quarterfinal goes Wednesday night at Revolution Place. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m., with game two set for Thursday in Grande Prairie.
