For the second time in franchise history, the Grande Prairie Storm won’t be making an appearance in the AJHL playoffs.
They were eliminated after a loss to Whitecourt last Friday, and their losing streak was stretched to eight with a home loss Tuesday.
Head Coach Kevin Higo says the team is disappointed, but will continue to try and get better for next season.
“Until we mathematically couldn’t do it, we felt that we had a chance. We got to that point where we were struggling and then points starting slipping away, and the separation between ourselves and that last playoff spot started to become great, but that didn’t mean we changed anything.”
Higo argues that junior hockey can be cyclical, and while they were down this year, next year they plan to be up.
He adds that they are regularly dressing 16 or 17 rookies a game, and only one player will be too old to return to the lineup next season.
There are also plenty of positives to be taken away from the season.
“The kids have done a real good job of creating an identity that we want to continue. We’ve really pushed to be out in the community; the guys have done a real good job of that. We’ve kind of set the framework for what we want to see in the future, and that’s been definitely a positive for the group.”
The boys are on the road this weekend in Lloydminster, and will be back home for two games against Sherwood Park February 27th and 28th.