Monday, March 25, 2013

Saints and Wolverines Meet in 2013 North Division Final

Press Release

 The Spruce Grove Saints and Whitecourt Wolverines will compete for the North Division title in the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs beginning on Thursday, March 28th in Spruce Grove.  The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the League Final and face the South Division Champion for the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Cup.

The Spruce Grove Saints earned a first round bye in the North Division for a fifth consecutive season, then eliminated the Sherwood Park Crusaders to advance to the North Division Final.  Whitecourt eliminated the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in the opening round of the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs before defeating the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the North Division Semi-Final.   The Saints hold a record of 4-2 in the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs, and the Wolverines are 7-3 in the AJHL post-season.

The Saints were first overall in the North Division with 79 points and a regular season record of 35-16-9.  Whitecourt posted a record of 31-21-8 and finished their inaugural season 4th in the North Division with 70 points.    Spruce Grove won the regular season series over Whitecourt with five wins and two losses, three of the victories came in overtime for the Saints.

Spruce Grove Saints (1) vs. Whitecourt Wolverines (2)
Game 1      March 28, 2013       @ Spruce Grove      7:00 PM
Game 2      March 30, 2013       @ Spruce Grove      7:00 PM
Game 3      April 1, 2013           @ Whitecourt          7:30 PM
Game 4      April 3, 2013           @ Whitecourt          7:30 PM
Game 5      April 5, 2013           @ Spruce Grove      7:00 PM*
Game 6      April 6, 2013           @ Whitecourt          7:30 PM*
Game 7      April 8, 2013           @ Spruce Grove      7:00 PM*
* if necessary

The Brooks Bandits (1) and Okotoks Oilers (2) will battle for the South Division title, and a chance to battle the North Division Champion for the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Cup.  The complete schedule for the South Division Final will be released shortly.

Round Three: League Semi-Finals
The remaining two teams in each division will playoff for the title of Division Champion and advance to the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Cup Final.

The highest ranked seed is awarded home ice advantage in the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs.

Round Four - AJHL Gas Drive Cup: League Final
The North Division Champion and the South Division Champion will compete in the League Final for the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Cup.

The 2013 AJHL Playoff Schedule, Playoff Bracket, and head to head stats for each series are available on the AJHL website.  Watch each game of the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs LIVE on AJHL Web TV at www.AJHL.ca.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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