Sweep earns Calgary Canucks 10th Alberta Junior Hockey League crown.

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The Alberta Junior Hockey League's oldest and winningest franchise is back at the top of the provincial circuit.

After 25 long years, the Calgary Canucks captured the AJHL title and the coveted Inter-Pipeline Cup with a 3-2 victory Wednesday night, defeating the Whitecourt Wolverines to advance to the final seven. concluded the championship series.

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Gavin Garland's goal (on a partial breakaway) midway through Game 4 won the game and the series for the Canucks.

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Canucks forward Riley Bracco spoke during an emotional and lengthy post-game on-ice celebration at the Max Bell Center, where a large crowd of friends and family gathered for the Alberta champions.

“I dreamed of something like this when I was a child.”

This was the 10th AJHL banner claimed by the Calgary club and the first since 1999, when Bracco's grandfather Ken was a cornerstone of the franchise.

“It's a special moment for my grandpa,” Bracco said. “What he has done for this organization and for hockey in this city has been unreal.”

The championship comes with a direct bye to the Centennial Cup, scheduled for May 9-19 in Oakville, Ont.

The host Oakville Blades will welcome the champions of the SJHL, MJHL, SIJHL, NOJHL, OJHL, CCHL, LHJAAAQ, MHL, and of course the AJHL, namely the Canucks, at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. for the Canadian Junior Hockey League tournament.

“It's hard to explain in words what this means,” Canucks GM and head coach Brad Moran said. “The way these kids played, the way they came together and what we went through and being able to finish like this was very special to a lot of our players and it made me very happy. It’s special for me and for the organization.”

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Moran's Canucks boasted overwhelming strength, winning four straight in the Final Series contest.

They won Games 1, 2, and 3 by scores of 5-1, 5-2, 5-4, the first two games being hosted by the Wolverines, and entered Wednesday night with considerable confidence. He will face the clincher at the Max Bell Center.

And that led to a whole game effort from puck drop.

“The players just peaked at the right time,” Moran said. “Each round we got better and better, and when we found a way to win a few games in a row, our guys really believed they could finish this game.

“The sweep was unexpected. But there was no doubt about their play.”

It was Bracco who scored the first goal of the game nearly 11 minutes into the contest, scoring a rebound past Wolverines goaltender Nikolas Avakian.

Three minutes into the second period, Kris Kobelka's shot was converted by Kodi Pisarczyk, making it 2-0 for the home team.

But midway through the frame, the Wolverines were able to take the lead with a goal from Spencer Rome that beat Canucks goaltender Julian Molinaro.

Then, early in Game 3, Evan Arnold tied the game at 2-2 for the Wolverines.

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But the hosts shook it off and got back on top when Garland ran away and defeated Avacan to win the game and the series.

“It was a loose puck, but our D-man got to the middle and made a good play,” Garland said. “And I saw me foot race with their defenseman. I had to move my boots. I had to try to outdo him in order to do that. Definitely exciting. It was an electric goal.

It was the same in the closing stages, as Molinaro, along with the help of his teammates in front of him, prevented the undefeated Wolverines from tying the game again.

“It's unbelievable,” Garland said. “It is amazing.”

Canucks forward Ty Hipkin was named playoff MVP after scoring a league-leading 18 points in 13 postseason games.

This is the 10th AJHL Championship, but only the Canucks' second appearance in the Centennial Cup. With the AJHL losing five of its strongest teams to the BCHL this winter and the previous Doyle Cup being missed, this one is easier than ever. The CJHL year-end event is held annually between the AJHL and BCHL champions.

The 1995 trip resulted in a championship victory.

But the next few days will be dedicated to savoring this victory.

“We've come a long way towards this since the start of the season,” Garland added. “And things are only going to get better. I know there's a Centennial Cup that we all have in mind to win. But right now we're excited about this.”

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM

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