Round 1 of the AEHL U15 AAA Playoffs is complete, with eight teams advancing after a series of high-scoring performances, tight defensive battles, and a few dramatic overtime finishes.
With all matchups played in a best-of-three format, teams had little room for error. When the opening round wrapped up, the second-round matchups were set with provincial championship berths on the line.
North Division
St. Albert Sabres sweep Southgate Lions (2–0)
The St. Albert Sabres opened their playoff run with a dominant two-game sweep of the Southgate Lions.
St. Albert took Game 1 in convincing fashion with a 10–2 victory before following it up with a 7–3 win in Game 2 to close out the series.
LJAC Oil Kings defeat Lloydminster Steelers (2–1)
The series between the LJAC Oil Kings and the Lloydminster Steelers delivered some of the most dramatic moments of the opening round.
The Oil Kings claimed Game 1 with a 4–3 overtime win before Lloydminster responded with a 3–2 triple-overtime victory in Game 2. LJAC closed the series with a decisive 4–0 win in Game 3 to advance.
St. Albert and LJAC will now meet in the second round with a spot at the 2026 Provincial Championships on the line.
Sherwood Park Flyers sweep CAC Canadians (2–0)
The Sherwood Park Flyers leaned on strong defensive play in their series against the CAC Canadians.
Sherwood Park opened the series with a tight 1–0 win in Game 1 before edging the Canadians 2–1 in Game 2 to complete the sweep.
KC Squires defeat GPAC Storm (2–1)
The KC Squires advanced after a competitive three-game series against the GPAC Storm.
KC opened the matchup with a 5–4 overtime victory in Game 1 before GPAC responded with a 5–3 win in Game 2. The Squires sealed the series with a 4–2 win in the deciding Game 3.
Sherwood Park and KC will now meet in the second round for a chance to advance to provincials.
South Division
Red Deer Rebels sweep Airdrie Xtreme (2–0)
The Red Deer Rebels produced one of the most dominant performances of the opening round against the Airdrie Xtreme.
Red Deer secured an 8–3 win in Game 1 before erupting offensively again in an 11–3 victory in Game 2 to finish the sweep.
Calgary Flames upset Calgary Bisons (2–1)
The Calgary Flames pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the round, defeating the second-seeded Calgary Bisons.
Calgary opened the series with a 5–3 win in Game 1 before the Bisons forced a deciding game with a 5–1 win in Game 2. The Flames completed the upset in dramatic fashion with an 8–7 double-overtime victory in Game 3.
The Flames will now face the Red Deer Rebels in Round 2.
Lethbridge Golden Hawks upset Calgary Northstars (2–1)
The Lethbridge Golden Hawks delivered another South Division upset, defeating the third-seeded Calgary Northstars in three games.
After dropping Game 1, Lethbridge responded with a 2–1 win in Game 2 and followed it up with a 3–2 overtime victory in Game 3 to secure the series.
Okotoks Oilers sweep Calgary Royals (2–0)
The Okotoks Oilers advanced with a two-game series win over the Calgary Royals.
Okotoks captured Game 1 with a 5–2 victory before sealing the series with a 3–2 overtime win in Game 2.
The Oilers will now meet the Lethbridge Golden Hawks in the second round with a provincial berth on the line.
Round 1 Top Performers
Points Leaders
- Madden Daneault, Red Deer Rebels — 7 G | 2 A | 9 PTS
- Wyatt Jolleys, Calgary Bisons — 5 G | 4 A | 9 PTS
- Knox Kehler, St. Albert Sabres — 5 G | 2 A | 7 PTS
- Zack Ruptash, St. Albert Sabres — 4 G | 3 A | 7 PTS
- Mason Tymkow, St. Albert Sabres — 4 G | 3 A | 7 PTS
Goaltending Leaders (GAA)
- Grayson Scriba, Sherwood Park Flyers — 0.50
- Noel Tetzlaff, LJAC Oil Kings — 0.71
- Fletcher MacDonald, CAC Canadians — 1.51
- Cason McFadden, Lethbridge Golden Hawks — 1.63
- Mason Mallet, Okotoks Oilers — 1.97
Round 2 begins Tuesday, March 10, with provincial championship spots on the line. All games will be streamed live on FloHockey.
The path to provincials continues as the remaining teams prepare for the next round of the AEHL U15 AAA Playoffs.
