Recap by Mackenzie Grafton
In the 2023 AJHL playoffs, the Calgary Canucks went 1-4 in round one against the Blackfalds Bulldogs. The Canucks would like to wish graduating 2002 players Justin Barker, Jordan MacFarlane, Daxton Budd, Max Prazma, Cale Sanders, & Daniel Rozsival adventure. As announced by the league back in February, the AJHL has awarded the Calgary Canucks the right to host the 2023 AJHL Showcase at the Max Bell Centre in September 2023.
Player Spotlight
#27 Daniel Rozsival
Daniel Rozsival led the Canucks in goals during the playoffs with four and had a two-goal performance in game two in Blackfalds.
Summary
Game One: March 10th @ Blackfalds
In game one, the Canucks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Justin Barker and Daniel Rozsival. The Bulldogs would cut into the lead with a goal for a 2-1 game after one period.Blackfalds would take control with four more goals to take game one, 5-2.
Game Two: March 11th @ Blackfalds
Barnburner alert for game two, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. In the final two minutes, Zephyr LaPlante would score for the Canucks to make it 3-1. Four goals in the first period but make that double when the two teams traded for eight in the second. 8-4 was the score after two, Gavin Schmidt, Ty Hopkin, and Dylan Biduk each scored for the Canucks.
Just like the in the first period, four goals scored in the final frame for an 10-6 win for the Bulldogs. Daniel Rozsival scored his second of the series and, Gavin Schmidt scored his second of the game.
Game Three: March 14th vs Blackfalds
The series shifted to Calgary for game three and, the Bulldogs jumping out to a 4-0 lead midway into the second. Daniel Rozsival scored his third goal in three games to make 4-1. The Bulldogs would add two more goals in the third and Rozsival scored once more in the 6-2 win for Blackfalds.
Game Four: March 15th vs Blackfalds
The Canucks had some work to do as the Bulldogs were one win away from moving on to round two. The Bulldogs were up 1-0 after one, and Zephyr LaPlante made it a 1-1 game after two. In the third, Justin Barker made it a 2-1 game for the Canucks. Calgary was 17 seconds away from picking up their first win of the playoffs when the Bulldogs tied it up at 2-2 and this game was off to overtime. Extra hockey didn’t last long as Conner Frost scored at 1:49 for the Canucks win that forced a game five.
Game Five: March 17th @ Blackfalds
Back to Blackfalds for game five saw the Bulldogs jump out to a 3-0 lead after two. In the third, Cale Sanders scored for the Canucks, but that was all as the Bulldogs picked up a 4-1 win and a 4-1 series win.
