The Paul Kane Blues put their undefeated records on the line in today’s junior semifinal doubleheader in metro Edmonton division two basketball.
Game times are 5 p.m. for the lady Blues (7-0) against the Ardrossan Bisons (5-2) and 6:30 p.m. for Paul Kane (10-0) against the Memorial Marauders (8-2) in the men’s playoff.
The winners advance to the metro finals at 4 p.m. Friday for the men and 11 a.m. Saturday for the women at Jasper Place High School.
In quarter-final action Monday at Paul Kane the home teams posted wins of 60-37 over the McNally Tigers (4-3) in the women’s division and the 54-49 over the W.P. Wagner Warriors (7-4) in the men’s division.
The Paul Kane men never held the lead against Wagner until the last two minutes of play.
The Blues were the top men’s and women’s seeds in pool B going into the playoffs.
Game one in the best-of-three playoff between the St. Albert Crusaders and Spruce Grove PAC Saints starts tonight in the Northern Alberta Midget AA Hockey League.
Face-off is 8:30 p.m. at Northstar Hyundai Arena.
Game two in the Clean Harbors division final is 7:15 p.m. Friday at Grant Fuhr Arena and game three, if needed, is 3:45 p.m. Sunday at Akinsdale Arena.
The winner will play the KC Colts (28-0-4) or Sherwood Park Oilers (18-11-3) in the best-of-three league semifinals.
The Crusaders (22-4-6) finished first and the Saints (14-11-7) placed third in their division.
The Crusaders will also represent zone 3 at the March 20 to 23 provincials in Wainwright.
The Morinville Kings were honoured by the North Central Hockey League prior to Saturday’s exhibition against the Bonnyville Pontiacs at Ray McDonald Sports Centre.
Wayne Gatza was recognized as the coach of the year and Jordan Panasiuk (6-4, 3.79 GAA) was the recipient of the best netminder award.
Visit www.stalbertgazette.com to view the presentation pictures.
The first-year Kings finished second overall in the NCHL at 13-4-1, but lost the best-of-three north division opening playoff round series to the Westlock Warriors.
The Kings are the host team for the senior AA/A provincials, March 28 to 30 in Morinville. Eight teams will compete for the AA and A banners.
In Saturday’s exhibition the Kings overcame a 5-2 deficit after 40 minutes to win 6-5. Brayden Arcand, Josh Lafleche, Aaron Baumgartner, Kyle Beddows, Cody Arcand and Cody Issler scored, Jorey McRae had three assists and Ryan Martin and Ben Lamer added a pair each. Panasiuk was in net.
The Pontiacs are in the hunt to earn one of two wildcard berths at provincials.
