With a big win over the Drumheller Dragons in Round 1 of the 2017 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs, the Canucks are off to round 2 where they will be taking on the Okotoks Oilers.
The Canucks are no strangers when it comes to playing the Oilers in playoffs. Just last season the Canucks took on the Okotoks Oilers in the first round of playoffs. Unfortunately things didn’t go the Canucks way as they were unable to take out the Oilers to move onto the next round. The Canucks who finished third in the south standings, just above the Oilers who finished in fourth, will have home ice advantage in the second round and will be looking for some redemption.
Things may not come easily as the Okotoks Oilers have been tough competition for the Canucks this season, winning 5 out of the 6 games between the two teams. In the first meeting with the Oilers back on October 16th the Oilers came away with a 3-0 victory. Meeting again in November, things went the Oilers way taking the game 4-1. In December, the Canucks faced off against the Oilers twice. With both of the Canucks goaltenders out of the lineup, the Oilers came away with 2 wins. In the first of the December meetings, the score remained close for the majority of the game as it was tied 1-1 at the end of the second, however, things took a turn in the third as the Oilers were able to score 4 more goals to take it 5-1. Less than a week later the win didn’t come easily for the Oilers as the Canucks fought hard to keep the game close and push for a win. The Canucks efforts just came up short as the final score was 4-3 Oilers. After the Christmas break the Canucks were refreshed and easily came away with a 4-1 win. In the final meeting of the season, the Oilers tied up the game in the final minutes of the third period. The game would end up going into a shoot-out where the Oilers managed to come out with a 3-2 win.
Even though the Oilers took the regular season series, the final 3 matchups between the two clubs saw the Canucks come away with a win or be within one goal of the Oilers. Round 1 of the AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs has shown that anything can happen in playoffs and the Canucks have seen first-hand that playoff hockey is a completely different game and that regular season series trends don’t always carry on into the playoffs.
Come on out and cheer on the Canucks as they take on the Okotoks Oilers in the second round of playoffs!
Round 2 Schedule:
Game 1 – Friday, March 17th Canucks vs. Oilers (Max Bell Centre – 7:00 pm)
Game 2 – Saturday, March 18th Canucks vs. Oilers (Max Bell Centre – 7:30 pm)
Game 3 – Monday, March 20th Canucks at Oilers (Pason Centennial Arena – 7:00 pm)
Game 4 – Tuesday, March 21st Canucks at Oilers (Pason Centennial Arena – 7:00 pm)
Game 5 – Friday, March 24th Canucks vs. Oilers (Max Bell Centre – 7:00 pm)* If Necessary
Game 6 – Sunday, March 26th Canucks at Oilers (Pason Centennial Arena – 7:00 pm) * If Necessary
Game 7 – Tuesday, March 28th Canucks vs. Oilers (Max Bell Centre – 7:00 pm) * If Necessary
Tickets Prices:
Adult: $15
Senior/Students (12-18): $10
Children Under 12: Free
GO CANUCKS GO!