Calgary Canucks repeat as AJHL champions with 7-3 win over Storm

The Calgary Canucks repeated as AJHL champions Wednesday night, defeating the Grande Prairie Storm 7-3. (Photo credit: Calgary Canucks/Dave Watling Photography)

The Calgary Canucks broke open a close 3-2 game with a pair of second period goals, on their way to a 7-3 win over Grande Prairie that gave the club its second Alberta Junior Hockey League championship in a row.

After Calgary got first-period goals from Nathan Maloney, Alexy Trischuk and Nolan Dupont to grab an early 3-2 lead, the Canucks got goals early in the second from Landon Pappas and one more from Dupont to build the lead to 5-2.

Grande Prairie responded, getting a goal from Tomas Marinkovic to make it 5-3 but that was it for the Storm.

Trischuk added his second late in the period, and halfway through the third, Dupont got his hat trick to make it 7-3 for Calgary.

Grande Prairie outshot Calgary 34-30.

The title was the Canucks’ 11th AJHL crown.

Both clubs have qualified for the Centennial Cup, which starts May 8 at Max Bell Arena in Calgary.