RED DEER – Round 1 of the AFHL U15 AA Playoffs is in the books, and the opening weekend delivered sweeps, overtime drama, and a pair of North Division upsets.
With all series played in a best-of-three format, momentum proved critical. Several teams wasted no time asserting themselves, while others battled through tight contests to earn their place in the second round.
North Division
PCFAC Storm sweep North Central Impact (2–0)
The PCFAC Storm opened their playoff run with a statement performance against the North Central Impact.
Game 1 required extra time, with the Storm edging out a 4–3 overtime win before erupting offensively in Game 2 with an 11–0 victory to secure the sweep.
PCFAC now advances to face the Camrose Wildcats in Round 2.
Camrose Wildcats upset Sherwood Park Royals (2–0)
One of the biggest storylines of the opening round came from the sixth-seeded Camrose Wildcats, who knocked off the third-seeded Sherwood Park Royals in straight games.
Camrose earned a 4–1 win in Game 1 and followed it up with a tightly contested 2–1 victory in Game 2, completing one of two North Division upsets in the round.
Lloydminster Steelers sweep Edmonton Ice Blue (2–0)
The Lloydminster Steelers controlled their series from start to finish, blanking the Edmonton Ice Blue 4–0 in Game 1 before closing things out with an 8–3 win in Game 2.
Lloydminster now turns its attention to a second-round matchup with the St. Albert Chargers.
St. Albert Chargers upset Edmonton Ice White (2–0)
The fifth-seeded St. Albert Chargers delivered another North Division upset, sweeping the fourth-seeded Edmonton Ice White.
St. Albert edged out a 4–3 win in Game 1 before sealing the series with a 5–3 victory in Game 2.
All four North Division series ended in sweeps, with two lower-seeded teams advancing to Round 2.
South Division
Calgary Fire Black outlast Airdrie Lightning (2–1)
The only three-game series in the South featured the Calgary Fire Black and the Airdrie Lightning.
Calgary opened with a narrow 4–3 win in Game 1 before Airdrie responded with a 5–1 victory in Game 2 to force a deciding Game 3. Fire Black regained control when it mattered most, securing a 5–4 win to take the series.
They will now meet the Red Deer Chiefs in the second round.
Red Deer Chiefs sweep Rocky Mountain Raiders (2–0)
The Red Deer Chiefs advanced with a pair of solid performances against the Rocky Mountain Raiders.
A 4–3 win in Game 1 set the tone, followed by a 5–2 victory in Game 2 to complete the sweep and set up a Round 2 matchup with Calgary Fire Black.
Southern Express sweep Calgary Fire White (2–0)
The Southern Express earned two tight 2–1 victories over the Calgary Fire White to move on in straight games.
Southern Express now advances to face the top-seeded Calgary Fire Red, who received a first-round bye after finishing first in the South Division during the regular season.
Round 1 Top Performers
Points Leaders
- Makenna Bilick, Calgary Fire Black — 3 GP | 4G | 4A | 8PTS
- Whitney MacMillan, St. Albert Chargers — 2 GP | 5G | 1A | 6PTS
- Lyliah Savich, PCFAC Storm — 2 GP | 5G | 1A | 6PTS
- Tenley Selte, Lloydminster Steelers — 2 GP | 1G | 5A | 6PTS
- Kinsley Manz, Red Deer Chiefs — 2 GP | 4G | 1A | 5PTS
Goaltending Leaders (GAA)
- Sadie Hunter, Lloydminster Steelers — 0.00
- Sadie Maier, PCFAC Storm — 0.00
- Mira Anderson, Southern Express — 1.00
- Bronlynn Wiancko, Camrose Wildcats — 1.00
- Ellie Hardy, Airdrie Lightning — 1.00
Round 2 begins Tuesday, March 3, with all games streamed live on FloHockey.
