This past Family Day weekend the round one of the U13 and U15 playoffs started. Why so soon you ask? I did too, because in my day we never played hockey on Family Day weekend. Here’s the explanation. Since the league has expanded taking in all the northwestern teams, and because the league winners go to provincials — not zone winners like in the past — then it could be as many as five rounds of playoffs in some cases that must be done 10 days before the provincials start. So now you know and so do I.

The U15 Avalanche hosted Lac La Biche last Friday night in the first round in a best two out of three series, losing this one by a score of 5–3. William “Billy Bob” Ballas scoring three goals for the Avalanche. Hunter “Hardrock” Pankiw, Cade “Eagle Eye” Elliot, Grayson “Slim” Skakun and Jaxon “Magic” Marcoux all with assists. Saturday back at Elk Point the boys played a dramatic must-win game going into a double overtime period. Unfortunately, the Clippers scored the winner early in the second overtime period, winning the series and ending the U15 Avalanche season. Magic Marcoux, Hudson “The Bull” Brousseau and Hardrock Pankiw scoring for the Avalanche. Assists coming from Eagle Eye Elliot and Slim Skakun. Theo “Long Horn” Loughran-Quinney and Reid Sayers splitting the goaltending duties.

The U13 Avalanche also playing a best of three game series against CNN (Crow’s Nest North), winning two games and the series at home Saturday by a score of 7–5 and Sunday 13–5. Benny Boy Saddleback in net for both games played stellar. A terrific team effort by everyone who contributed in some way with a goal, an assist or a great defensive play. On to the next round this coming weekend, the opposition yet to be determined.

The U11 group do not compete in provincials, but do have a playoff tournament-type weekend to wind up the season. The U11 Avalanche team has a few games left before the league finals. On Friday they played in Dewberry winning 7–5. Cohen “Big Horn” Brousseau with a couple of goals and three assists. Younger brother Gavin “The Badger” scoring a hat trick. Maximus “To the Max” Laliberte and Jaxtyn “Jack Hammer” Krankowsky scoring one goal each. Mya “The Magnificent” Lorenson and Damian “Fog Horn” Ockerman each with a helper. Tydis Whiskeyjack Cardinal between the pipes facing 32 shots in this game.

On the Family Day Monday, the Avalanche travelled to Cold Lake winning 8–3. Five goals for Big Horn Brousseau. The Badger Brousseau, To the Max and The Magnificent Mya all scoring a goal in this one. Fog Horn Ockerman with three apples, his partner on the blue line Landon “Lights Out” St. Arnault also adding an assist. Brady “The Bulldozer” Heathcote strapping on the big pads was behind the mask getting the call to goaltend in this game, getting the win.