U11 and U18 Avalanche Advance in Dramatic Playoff Wins

It was a fantastic weekend for Elk Point Minor Hockey.

Two teams remain alive in the playoffs and both the U11 and U18 Avalanche delivered dramatic victories this past weekend to move on to the next round.

U11 Avalanche Capture North Division Banner

The U11 Avalanche competed in a tournament-style playoff for the North Division title hosted by Marwayne–Dewberry.

On Saturday, the Avalanche faced Bonnyville in a two-game total-point series.

The first game was a nail-biter, with the Avalanche edging Bonnyville 6–5.

Cohen “Big Horn” Brousseau led the attack with a hat trick.
Maximus “To the Max” Laliberte added two goals.
Gavin “The Badger” Brousseau had a big night with four assists.

Damian “Fog Horn” Ockerman and Landon “Lights Out” St. Arnault chipped in with assists.

Goaltender Tydis Whiskeyjack Cardinal faced 29 shots in the win.

The Avalanche carried that momentum into the second game and exploded for a 10–4 victory.

Big Horn Brousseau had an incredible performance with seven goals and two assists.

The Badger added three assists while Mason “Mini Wheels” Weir scored twice.

To the Max Laliberte added a goal and an assist. Fog Horn Ockerman and Lights Out St. Arnault both recorded two assists.

Blake “The Rattlesnake” Fontaine and Jasper “Grizzy” Hymanyk each added helpers.

That victory sent the Avalanche into the championship game Sunday against the host Marwayne–Dewberry squad.

Avalanche Win a Playoff Barn Burner

Sunday’s final lived up to its billing.

From the opening faceoff to the final whistle, it was a barn burner.

When the dust settled, the Avalanche came out on top 7–6 to capture the banner.

Goaltender Tydis Whiskeyjack Cardinal was outstanding between the pipes, facing 35 shots and standing tall.

Cohen “Big Horn” Brousseau delivered a huge performance with a double hat trick.

Maximus “To the Max” Laliberte added another goal.

Mason “Mini Wheels” Weir and Landon “Lights Out” St. Arnault each recorded two assists.

Gavin “The Badger” Brousseau and Blake “The Rattlesnake” Fontaine also picked up assists.

The U11 Avalanche now advance to the final round for the Northeast League championship.

The tournament will be hosted by Thorhild, with the Avalanche opening play Friday night at 7 p.m. against Redwater.

Let’s do this!

---

U18 Avalanche Win Hard-Fought Series

Meanwhile, the U18 Avalanche were battling the Bonnyville Pontiacs in a best-of-three playoff series.

And it took all three games to determine a winner.

 

Game 1 – Avalanche 8, Pontiacs 4

The Avalanche opened the series Friday night with an 8–4 win.

The Pontiacs spent significant time in the penalty box and the Avalanche made them pay.

Tristan “The Bobcat” Brousseau had a huge night, scoring four power-play goals.

His power-play linemates Remington “Steel” Reynolds added three assists while Wyatt “Wild Wyatt” Fontaine picked up two helpers.

Braylee “Free Willy” Lesyk buried two goals and added an assist.

Liam “Sledgehammer” Swedgen and Odin St. Arnault scored one goal each.

Anton “A-Bomb” Braithwaite, Kaysen “Dynamite” DeMossiac and William “Billy Bob” Ballas each recorded assists.

Game 2 – Pontiacs 6, Avalanche 2

Saturday’s game was a completely different story.

This time it was the Avalanche spending too much time in the penalty box and the Pontiacs capitalized.

Bonnyville evened the series with a 6–2 victory.

The Avalanche struck early with goals from Brendan “Buzz Saw” Kadutski and Remington “Steel” Reynolds.

Assists went to The Bobcat, Wild Wyatt and Dynamite DeMossiac.

But after that, the wheels fell off the cart.

Game 3 – Avalanche 5, Pontiacs 4

Sunday’s deciding game in Elk Point turned into one of the best playoff games you could ask for.

The Pontiacs led 1–0 after the first period.

Early in the second, Tristan “The Bobcat” Brousseau tied the game with his fifth goal of the series, assisted by Dominique “Domi” Krankowsky and Wild Wyatt Fontaine.

The Avalanche then grabbed the lead when defenceman Cade Sayers blasted one home from the point, assisted by Wild Wyatt and A-Bomb Braithwaite.

But the Pontiacs answered quickly to tie the game.

With just three seconds left in the second period, Remington “Steel” Reynolds scored a buzzer-beater, again assisted by Wild Wyatt.

The Avalanche carried a one-goal lead into the third.

Early in the period Cade Sayers scored his second goal of the night, assisted by Odin St. Arnault and Bronson “Bronko” Riley-Brock.

But the Pontiacs refused to quit.

They scored on the power play to make it 5–4, setting up a tense final fifteen minutes.

Goaltender Drayden “The Wall” Skakum faced 46 shots, many of them in the third period, but continued to shut the door.

At the other end, the Pontiacs goalie was also standing tall.

With one minute left in regulation, the Pontiacs pulled their goalie for the extra attacker.

But the Avalanche sealed the victory when Domi Krankowsky gained possession, moved the puck to Sledgehammer Swedgen and then to rookie Billy Bob Ballas, who buried the empty-net goal to put the icing on the cake.

League Final Up Next

The Avalanche now advance to the league final against Smoky Lake.

Game 1 will be Friday night in Smoky Lake.

Game 2 returns to Elk Point Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the A.G. Ross Arena.

If necessary, Game 3 will be played Sunday back in Smoky Lake.

The winner of the series advances to the provincial finals.

So come on out Saturday night and pack the barn.

Let’s make some noise and support the boys.