The Whitecourt Wolverines find themselves on the brink of elimination from the 2025 Inter Pipeline Cup Alberta Junior Hockey League Playoffs, following a 4-3 loss to the Grande Prairie Storm on Monday, April 7.
Max Leduc opened the scoring for the Storm 10:15 into the first period. Leduc’s fourth goal of the postseason was assisted by Carter Streek.
Chayse Laurie scored a power play goal at 13:54 to extend the Storm’s lead to 2-0. Alec Hall and Kaiden Bugera were credited with the assists on Laurie’s third goal of the postseason.
Tyler Rowland got the Wolverines on the board at 19:40, with his second goal of the postseason, assisted by Jalen Bianchet and goaltender Zac Onyskiw.
At the end of the first period, the Grande Prairie Storm had outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 12-6 and took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Goaltender Keagin Kelln started the second period for the Storm, relieving Nicholas Jones. Jones had made five saves on the six shots he faced in the first period.
Jalen Biachet tied the game for the Wolverines 11:05 into the second period with his third goal of the postseason. Dylan Ruptash and Braden Keeble assisted on that goal.
Matthew Gillard put the Storm back on top with an unassisted goal at 17:23. That was Gillard’s first goal of the postseason.
At the end of the second period, the Grande Prairie Storm had outshot the Whitecourt Wolverines 9-8 and took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.
Chase Christensen scored a shorthanded goal just 3:07 into the third period to extend the Storm’s lead to 4-2. Kaiden Bugera picked up the assist on Christensen’s second goal of the postseason.
Wolverines forward Noah Milford then scored his first goal of the postseason at 12:21 to bring the Wolverines within a goal, but they were unable to tie the game before time ran out. Milford’s goal was assisted by Travis Verbeek and Spencer Claerhout.
The Whitecourt Wolverines outshot the Grande Prairie Storm 12-3 in the third and 26-24 in total but the Storm took home the 4-3 victory.
Wolverines’ goaltender Zac Onyskiw made 20 saves on the 24 shots he faced.
Storm goaltender Keagin Kelln made 18 saves on the 20 shots he faced after coming on in relief of Nicholas Jones at the start of the second period.
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With this loss, the Grande Prairie Storm have taken a 3-0 series lead over the Whitecourt Wolverines in the Northern Division Finals.
Game four has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, at the Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie.
Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. and you can catch all the action live on XM105FM, home of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
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Also on Tuesday, the Calgary Canucks are looking to take a 3-0 series lead over the Drumheller Dragons in the Southern Division Finals. Puck drop for that game is also 7:00 p.m.
