April 14, 2023 (BROOKS, AB) – For the sixth time in AJHL Playoff history, the Brooks and Spruce Grove Saints will face-off in the Best-of-Seven Championship Final.
The Inter Pipeline Cup Final will begin at the Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, April 21st, and Game 2 scheduled for Saturday, April 22nd. Both games will start at 7:00 pm.
The Bandits and Saints each finished 1st in their respective divisions, with Brooks winning the Regular Season Championship with a 53-5-2 record and holding home ice advantage. Both teams received a bye through the First Round of the AJHL Playoffs.
Brooks eliminated the Okotoks Oilers four games to two in the South Division Semi-Final, and then swept the Blackfalds Bulldogs four games to none in the South Division Final.
Spruce Grove defeated the Sherwood Park Crusaders four games to one in the North Division Semi-Final, and eliminated the Bonnyville Pontiacs four games to one in the North Division Final.
Brooks and Spruce Grove met twice in the 2022-23 Regular Season, splitting the season series. The Bandits took the first meeting on October 14th in Brooks, as Brendan Poshak and Hunter Wallace each scored twice in an 8-3 win. They met again on December 9th in Spruce Grove, with the Saints winning 2-0. Ethan Barwick made 42 saves in the Bandits net.
The Bandits and Saints have previously met in the AJHL Final in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2022, with the Bandits winning the series four times.
The Bandits have qualified for the AJHL Final eight times (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023), winning the league championship six times.
Listen to every game of the 2023 AJHL Final, which will be broadcast live on Real Country 105.7 FM and HockeyTV.