HJHL North Division Final — Red Deer Vipers vs. Sylvan Lake Wranglers
Game 1 Summary — February 28
The Red Deer Vipers grabbed the opening win of the HJHL North Division Final on Saturday night, edging the Sylvan Lake Wranglers 3–2 in overtime at Servus Arena to take a 1–0 lead in the best‑of‑five series.
The game’s decisive moment came early in the extra frame, as Mason Hastings scored just 2:08 into overtime, finishing a play set up by Kohen Rea and Mason Hammerback to seal the victory for Red Deer.
The teams traded momentum throughout regulation. Keaton Mackenzie‑Clermont opened the scoring for the Vipers in the first period before Sylvan Lake responded later in the frame. Red Deer regained the lead in the second period when Tyson Krause converted on the power play, giving the Vipers a 2–1 advantage heading into the third.
Sylvan Lake refused to go quietly, tying the game late in regulation when Owen Callow scored with just 1:58 remaining to force overtime and set the stage for the dramatic finish.
Goaltending was a major storyline on both sides. Meyer Gaume earned the win for Red Deer, stopping 35 of 37 shots, while Carter Lott turned aside 28 of 31 shots in a strong effort for the Wranglers.
Special teams also played a role, with Red Deer going 1‑for‑3 on the power play while their penalty kill remained perfect, shutting down both Sylvan Lake opportunities.
Series Notes
- Series: Best‑of‑five
- Red Deer leads 1–0
Despite the loss, Sylvan Lake held the edge in shot volume, outshooting Red Deer 37–31, an indication of their ability to generate sustained offensive pressure. The game remained relatively disciplined overall, though a pair of grabbing the facemask penalties late in the second period briefly raised the physical intensity.
Game 2 Preview
When: Sunday, March 1, 2026 — 6:15 PM MST
Where: NexSource Centre, Sylvan Lake
The series now shifts to Sylvan Lake, where the Wranglers will look to rebound from the overtime setback on home ice. Generating offense early and finding a way to solve Gaume will be key, as will improved execution on the power play as they aim to even the series.
Where to Watch:
Fans can catch the game live on FloHockey or attend in person at the NexSource Centre.
