Presented by Cornerstone Weddings
REGULAR SEASON GAME #9 | Grande Prairie Storm (7-2-0-0) at Canmore Eagles (6-2-0-0)
DATE: Friday | October 16, 2026 | 7 PM
PLACE: Alex Kaleta Arena, Canmore, Alberta
WATCH: FloHockey
WHAT’S NEXT: Saturday, October 17 vs Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Two division leaders meet at the Nest Friday night as the Canmore Eagles welcome the Grande Prairie Storm for their second meeting of the season.
Canmore enters the weekend riding consecutive victories over the Calgary Canucks, while Grande Prairie arrives with three straight wins. With just two points separating the clubs, Friday presents an early opportunity for the Eagles to pull even with the league leaders.
LITTLE SEPARATING THE TWO SIDES
The numbers suggest there won’t be much room for error.
Grande Prairie sits first overall in the AJHL with 14 points through nine games, while Canmore holds second with 12 points through eight. Both clubs lead their respective divisions and have suffered just two losses.
Their goal differentials are nearly identical, too. The Eagles have scored 39 goals and allowed 27 for a plus-12 differential, while the Storm have scored 38 and surrendered 23 for a plus-15 mark.
Canmore has produced slightly more offence despite playing one fewer game, averaging 4.88 goals per outing compared with Grande Prairie’s 4.22. The Storm have been tighter defensively, allowing 2.56 goals per game compared with the Eagles’ 3.38.
Here is the Tale of the Tape between the two teams:
ROUND ONE WENT TO THE EAGLES
Canmore claimed the first meeting 5-3 on October 2 at Bonnetts Energy Centre, building a commanding lead before holding off a late Storm push.
After Cole Penner opened the scoring for Grande Prairie, Cohen Daoust answered shorthanded to begin a run of five unanswered Eagles goals. Owen Mastroianni, Landon Scott and Daoust scored during an explosive opening five minutes of the second period, before captain Aidan Tkachuk added a third-period power-play goal.
Daoust finished with two goals and an assist, Easton Milne contributed three assists, and Hudson Sedo stopped 28 of 31 shots.
Grande Prairie made things interesting with late power-play goals from Braeden Veldhuizen and Bowen Grycan. That finish serves as a reminder for the Eagles: even with a lead, closing out this opponent requires a full 60 minutes.
HOME COOKING
Alex Kaleta Arena has been a comfortable place for the Eagles to start the season.
Canmore is a perfect 4-0 on home ice after sweeping Calgary over Thanksgiving weekend, winning 6-4 Friday and 5-1 Saturday. Friday’s matchup marks the third game of the Eagles’ seven-game homestand, giving them another chance to build momentum in front of their own fans.
The strong start follows a season in which Canmore went 19-7-2 at home. With the league-leading Storm coming to town, the Eagles will look to make that home-ice advantage count again.
Help pack the Nest! Get your tickets at canmoreeagles.ca/tickets.
