Bantam AAA Golden Hawks clinch playoff berth

The Lethbridge Val Matteotti bantam AAA Golden Hawks are playoff-bound.

The Golden Hawks went 1-1 in Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League play last weekend, defeating the Airdrie Xtreme 3-2 Saturday at Nicholas Sheran Arena before falling 2-0 to the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers Sunday afternoon, also at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

The .500 weekend puts Lethbridge at 11-14-6, but also clinches the fourth playoff spot in the Ram South Division with the chance to overtake the Medicine Hat SEAC Tigers for third in the division with one weekend to go.

On Saturday against Airdrie, Ty Fraser scored in the first and second periods and Layne Loomer added the eventual game-winner midway through the third.

Goaltender Ty Young made 33 saves in the win.

On Sunday the Rangers scored once in the first and again in the third to post the shutout. Young stopped 32 of 34 shots. The Golden Hawks wrap up the regular season on the road this weekend.

They’re in Leduc Saturday to take on the Woodbend Oil Kings and head to Lloydminster Sunday to face the Bobcats.