We’ve seen the original, the sequel and now the trilogy is set to be unveiled.
And the Carstar Okotoks Bisons are looking for a similar finish to the trifecta as the three-time defending Heritage Junior Hockey League champions take on the Sylvan Lake Wranglers in the final for the third year in a row starting this weekend.
For the first time in the trilogy, the Wranglers have corralled home ice advantage as the top team in the regular season.
In the regular season, both teams won their home games in convincing fashion, the most recent of which was a Bisons 4-0 triumph in December.
Okotoks got to the league final via a four-game series victory over the Medicine Hat Cubs in the South Final. The Bisons lost the series opener in overtime and countered with three straight victories, the latter of which was a 4-1 result in the decisive Game 4 on March 13.
Bisons sniper Sam Callahan had a monster series for Okotoks with five goals and eight points in four games and leads the HJHL with 14 points in the playoffs.
Okotoks goalie Dylan Walker has won three straight games for the herd since making his playoff debut in the third round series. The Okotokian leads the HJHL with a .925 save percentage and 1.67 goals against average in the postseason.
Sylvan Lake made quick work of the North Division bracket with convincing series sweeps over the Airdrie Thunder and then the Red Deer Vipers with a pair of 12-goal games, one in each of the best-of-five sets.
The Wranglers have five HJHL titles to their credit, dating back to their time in Blackfalds and Lacombe, along with a trio of provincial championships.
The Bisons, the most decorated team in league history, have 14 HJHL titles and are the defending provincial champions.
For more information, go to okotoksbisons.com.
Series schedule
Game 1: Okotoks at Sylvan Lake. March 21, 8 p.m.
Game 2: Sylvan Lake at Okotoks. March 23, 3 p.m.
Game 3: Okotoks at Sylvan Lake. March 25, 8 p.m.
Game 4: Sylvan Lake at Okotoks. March 27, 8 p.m.
Game 5: Okotoks at Sylvan Lake. March 29, 6 p.m.
