Junior B playoffs
Game two between the St. Albert Merchants and Edmonton Mustangs in the Capital Junior B Hockey League playoffs starts 8 p.m. Sunday at Bill Hunter Arena.The Merchants hosted Friday’s series opener in the best-of-three qualifying round and the score was unavailable at press time.
If needed, game three is 8 p.m. Monday at Akinsdale Arena.
The winner plays the Beverly Warriors (22-9) or North Edmonton Red Wings (26-9-3) in the best-of-five quarter-finals.
The Merchants (14-19-5) and Mustangs (15-21-2) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the west division and in league play they split four games with the home teams winning.
Sabres at home
The St. Albert Gregg Distributors Sabres have four games left until the playoffs and the first of three on home ice is today at Akinsdale Arena.Puck drop is 4:15 p.m. against the GPAC Storm (3-23-2).
Wednesday the Sabres host the Maple Leafs (3-25-1) at 7:45 p.m.
The regular season in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League ends Feb. 24 and the Sabres (11-13-5), last year’s provincial finalists, are expected to face off against the KC Squires (18-9-4) or Sherwood Park Flyers (17-13-1) in the best-of-three nitro north division semifinals.
The first loss for the Sabres after going undefeated in eight games at 6-0-2 was 3-2 against the Calgary Royals (5-20-5) on the road Sunday.
The Sabres are led by Liam Cochrane’s 18 goals and 40 points, Zakk Makeiff’s 18 goals and 30 points and captain Levi Fesyk’s 25 assists and 30 points.
Midget AA action
The following games are upcoming for St. Albert teams in the Northern Alberta Midget AA Hockey League.Today the Blues (12-12-4) visit the Lloydminster Blazers (5-17-3) at 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday’s start time against the Sturgeon Sting (19-6-2) is 8:30 p.m. at Go Auto Arena.
Monday the Source for Sports Crusaders (23-4-2) host the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers (10-14-3) at 8:30 p.m. at Go Auto Arena.
The Crusaders, last year’s playoff champions, are ranked first overall in the 23-team circuit.
The Blues are fourth in the same division as the Crusaders in the metro conference.
After the Christmas break, the Crusaders are 8-1 and the Blues are 5-5.
Maddux Nollski leads the Crusaders in goals with 24 and is second in points with 33 behind Ronin Pusch’s team-high 36 points.
Brady Harroun is the top scorer for the Blues with 19 goals and 38 points and Brett Reiter is second with 16 goals and 37 points.
