The Grande Prairie Storm took a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoff series after a 2-1 overtime victory against the Lloydminster Bobcats on March 21, 2026, in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This second consecutive win on home ice puts the team in a strong position as they move forward in the first round of the postseason.
Veteran forward Will Harris scored both goals for the Storm, including the winner 9 minutes and 45 seconds into the first overtime period to seal the game. This was the second night in a row the team won in extra time at the Bonnetts Energy Centre, following a 3-2 victory on Friday night where Zachary Wilson scored the decider.
Harris and Wilson are the longest-serving members of the team, having played for the club since 2022. This playoff run is significant for the veteran pair as they are both in their final year of junior hockey eligibility; Wilson has already committed to Niagara University for next season, while team captain Colin Doherty is set to join the University of Alberta.
The Grande Prairie Storm finished the regular season in second place in the North Division with an impressive 38-15-2 record. A crowd of 2,308 local fans attended the Saturday night game, helping the team maintain its status for leading the Alberta Junior Hockey League in attendance for three straight years.
This playoff matchup is a rematch from last year, when the Storm beat the Lloydminster Bobcats in four straight games. The team is now looking to advance past the first round for the second consecutive year as they aim to return to the league finals.
