This weekend the St. Albert Raiders play twice at Bill Hunter Arena in the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League.
The Raiders (15-4-4) battle the Southside Athletic Club (12-4-6) today at 2:45 p.m. and the Canadian Athletic Club (10-10-3) Sunday at 11:45 a.m.
These are the last league games for the 2012 provincial finalists before the 35th annual Mac’s world invitational tournament in Calgary.
In pool three the Raiders have games scheduled against the Calgary Buffaloes (3:30 p.m. Dec. 26 at Max Bell Arena), Saskatoon Blazers (8 p.m. Dec. 27 at Father David Bauer Arena), Battlefords Stars (9 a.m. Dec. 29 at Father David Bauer) and the Greater Vancouver Canadians (11:45 a.m. Dec. 30 at Max Bell).
In the 25-team draw the first-place teams in five pools and three wild cards make the playoffs. The quarter-finals and semifinals are Dec. 31 and the final is Jan. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Saddledome.
The first of four games for the female St. Albert Slash in pool play at the Mac’s midget AAA tournament is Dec. 26 against the Saskatoon Stars.
Faceoff is 2 p.m. at Max Bell Centre.
The Slash also skate at the Max Bell against the Fraser Valley Phantom (10:30 a.m. Dec. 27), Prince George Cougars (1 p.m. Dec. 28) and the Highwood Raiders (8 a.m. Dec. 29).
In the 15-team draw the first-place teams in three pools and one wild card advance to the Dec. 31 semifinals. The final is Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Saddledome.
The last game before the Christmas break for the St. Albert Flyers in the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League is against the Grande Prairie Storm today at 3:45 p.m. at Akinsdale Arena.
Ten points separate the Flyers (9-5-4) and Storm (5-10-2) in the north division.
The Flyers are tied for second place after blanking the Maple Leafs 6-0 Tuesday in St. Albert.
Pat Dea (4-4-2, 2.10 GAA) recorded 25 saves for his third shutout of the season.
Tristen Gavin, Curtis Peck and Thomas Friesen potted two goals apiece. Friesen also picked up three assists and Cam Mazur and Ethan Lazaro had two helpers each.
The fourth annual St. Albert Winter Classic Tournament starts 8:15 a.m. Dec. 27 at Servus Credit Union Place.
The 53-game draw features eight novice 1 teams, six novice 2 teams and nine atom teams.
The finals are Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. for novice 1 at Mark Messier Arena and 7:15 p.m. for novice 2 at Northstar Hyundai Arena and the atoms at Troy Murray Arena.
Visit www.samha.ab.ca for schedules.
