AJHL Announces 2012 AJHL Enerflex Cup Finals

Press Release

The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to announce the schedule for the 2012 AJHL Enerflex Cup Finals between the Brooks Bandits and Fort McMurray Oil Barons. The best-of-seven series will begin on April 6th and 7th in Brooks, AB with the opening two games of the series.

The Fort McMurray Oil Barons won the North Division Title with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Spruce Grove Saints in Game Seven of the North Division Final on Tuesday night. The Oil Barons began the series down 2-0, then came back with three consecutive wins to lead the series 3-2. The Saints forced a Game Seven by defeating the home team in Game Six on Sunday in Fort McMurray. The series was filled with comebacks, and included five one-goal games, and two overtime thrillers.

The Brooks Bandits hold a perfect 8-0 post-season record. The Bandits led the South Division in the 2011-2012 regular season to earn a bye to Round Two of the 2012 AJHL Playoffs. The Bandits then swept the Calgary Canucks and Olds Grizzlys to advance to the AJHL Enerflex Cup Finals.
The Oil Barons swept the Grande Prairie Storm (3-0) in Round One, and eliminated the Sherwood Park Crusaders in Game Five of the North Division Semi-Finals before facing the defending champion Spruce Grove Saints in the Division Final.
The Brooks Bandits won the Dave Duchak Trophy as the 2011-2012 AJHL Regular Season Champions with a record of 47-7-6 and 100 points. The Fort McMurray Oil Barons finished 2nd in the North Division with 98 points in the AJHL regular season and a record of 47-9-4. The Bandits and Oil Barons met just twice in the 2011-2012 regular season. Brooks won both contests by a single goal, the first with a shootout victory.

The Brooks Bandits have advanced to the AJHL Enerflex Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Oil Barons have captured the AJHL Championship three times and most recently competed in the League Final in 2010. The Oil Barons lost the 2010 League Final versus the Spruce Grove Saints in Game Seven.

Brooks Bandits (1) vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (2)

Game 1 Friday, April 6 @ Brooks 7:00PM
Game 2 Saturday, April 7 @ Brooks 7:00PM
Game 3 Monday, April 9 @ Fort McMurray 8:00PM
Game 4 Tuesday, April 10 @ Fort McMurray 8:00PM
*Game 5 Thursday, April 12 @ Brooks 7:00PM
*Game 6 Saturday, April 14 @ Fort McMurray 8:00PM
*Game 7 Monday, April 16 @ Brooks 7:00PM

* if necessary

2012 Doyle Cup (AB / BC Championship)
A best of seven series, which will commence in Alberta on April 20th. The winner will represent the Pacific Division at the 2012 RBC Cup in Humboldt, SK from May 5th - 13th.

The 2012 AJHL Playoff Schedule, Playoff Bracket, and head to head stats for each series are available on the AJHL website www.AJHL.ca. Watch each game of the 2012 AJHL Playoffs live on AJHL Pay Per View at www.AJHL.ca.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)