Perched at the top

The Canmore Eagles are Alberta Junior Hockey League South Division champions.

Canmore needed just a single point to fall its way over the final few games of the season and got it courtesy of the Devon Xtreme on Friday (March 6) when they defeated the Drumheller Dragons  3-2 in a shootout.

When the week’s action concluded, Canmore (31-19-2-1) are on an uncatchable 65 points with two games remaining. The Eagles lift the division title trophy for the first time since the 2002-03 season. The franchise was also the top team in the division the previous season.

Canmore’s first-round playoff opponent will be the fourth place and defending league and national champion Calgary Canucks (23-24-3-2). The AJHL playoffs begin Friday, March 20 with Game 2 on Saturday, March 21. The Eagles will play the first two games of the best-of-seven series at the Canmore Recreation Centre. Playoff tickets will go on sale to the public on March 17 at 9 a.m.

Drumheller (26-19-2-5) is in second place with three games remaining and can do no better than 63 points. The Camrose Kodiaks (27-23-2-1) are on 57 points with two games remaining and could still reclaim second place if results go their way during the final week of the season.

On Saturday (March 7), the Eagles travelled to Drumheller to take on the Dragons, falling 5-2.

Drumheller built a 3-0 lead in the first period on goals by Lauchlan Kozicky (10), Jensen Marsh (13) and Bradley Gallo (28).

Tristan Payne (7) made it 4-0 inside the opening minute of the second period. It was the third power-play goal in three opportunities for the Dragons.

Canmore’s leading scorer Cohen Daoust became the fourth AJHL’er to reach the 30-goal mark this season with his power-play goal at 6:26 of the middle frame. The 19-year-old forward is third in league scoring with 74 points.

John Szabo drew an assist on the play to extend his points streak to 15 games (9G-18A). Earlier in the week, the Canmore captain was named the league’s player of the month for February. In January, teammate Aidan Tkachuk took the honour.

Jonathan Gomez (5) gave Canmore its second goal at 7:36 of the third period, with Jase Johnstone (11) replying less than two minutes later.

Canmore outshot Drumheller 35-26. Hudson Sedo (10-9/3.14/.904) was in goal for the Eagles. Sean Cootes (16-14/2.88/.905) was in goal for the Dragons.

On the power play, Drumheller finished 3-for-4 while Canmore was 1-for-5.

Ryder Dembo had his 13-game scoring streak end in the weekend loss while Tkachuk is stuck on 29 goals after failing to register a goal in back-to-back games.

The two teams meet again on Tuesday, March 10 at the Canmore Recreation Centre with the Dragons looking to put a lock on home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Following Tuesday’s clash, the Eagles will finish out the regular season with a Friday, March 13 home game versus the Olds Grizzlys.

Teams were playing a 64-game schedule when Canmore previously finished first in the South. The Eagles went 47-14-3-0 for 97 points in 2001-02 and then 43-19-2-0 in 2002-03. The next goal for the franchise, which is playing its 31st season, is to win its first AJHL championship.

In the North Division, the Whitecourt Wolverines (37-12-1-2) are on 77 points and will finish first overall in the AJHL for the second time in three seasons. They will take on the fourth-place Fort McMurray Oil Barons (29-17-6-1) currently at 65 points. Second place is still up for grabs with the Lloydminster Bobcats (32-14-4-3) on 71 points with two games to play while the Grande Prairie Storm (34-15-0-2) have 70 points but four games remaining.

OVERTIME: Canmore played two U18 AAA affiliate players in Saturday’s game: forward Issac Riep (Airdrie CFR Bisons) of Canmore and defenceman Nixon Chanski (Grande Peace Storm) of St. Albert. … The Eagles are always in need of volunteers to help with game day experiences whether you are new to the game or an avid hockey supporter, email info@canmoreeagles.com for more information on opportunities and perks that come with being part of the Game Day Crew. … Follow the Canmore Eagles at home or on the road with a Flohockey account. Go to flohockey.tv.