The Lloydminster Bandits tasted both playoff joy and heartache after a couple of memorable post-season battles in the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League.
Read more: Year in review: A look at events in February 2025
The Bandits were victorious in the opening two games of the best-of-seven final, but the perennial champion Wainwright Bisons bounced back with four straight victories to capture yet another junior B crown.
In the decisive Game 6 on March 27, Wainwright won 2-1 in overtime.
In the semifinals, the Bisons also needed six games to finish off the St. Paul Canadians, while the Bandits prevailed against the rival Vermilion Tigers in a series that went the maximum seven contests. Lloyd won 5-4 in Game 7.
TIGHT RACE AGAIN THIS SEASON
The head-to-head battles between the league’s three frontrunners — Lloydminster, Vermilion and Wainwright — carried into this season.
It’s the Bandits’ first year playing out of the new Cenvous Energy Hub, where they will host the Hockey Alberta provincial junior B championship April 1-5, 2026.
Going into this year’s mid-season Christmas break, Lloydminster (20-5)
sat in first place, one point ahead of Vermilion (18-3-3) and three ahead of third-place Wainwright (17-3-3).
On the final weekend of December action, Wainwright edged Vermilion on back-to-back nights, 4-3 and 3-2, as both games were decided in a shootout. The Bandits skated into the break with a 6-1 victory over the Cold Lake Ice.
BANDITS’ DENNETT A DOUBLE AWARD-WINNER
Lloydminster dominated the individual award-winners for the 2024-25 season. Smooth-skating Kade Dennett was named the most valuable player and the best defenceman, while forward Joel Webb was the top scorer and forward Adryan Bugiera the rookie of the year.
Vermilion’s Ryan Stowe was chosen as the top goaltender.
Scott Hood of Cold Lake was honoured as the coach of the year.
Read more: Year in review: A look at events in January 2025
