We are getting closer and closer to puck drop on the 35th season of Crusader hockey. The Alberta Junior Hockey League has released the 2013-14 Exhibition and Regular Season Schedule. The Crusaders will play 6 Exhibition Games starting on August 21st in Bonnyville to face the Pontiacs and ending September 1st as they host the Lloydminster Bobcats. All Crusader Home Exhibition Games will be played at the Sherwood Park Arena.
The Cru will open up their 60 game season on the road, Friday September 6th, against the Whitecourt Wolverines. The very next night, the Cru will begin their first of 29 Home Games at the Sherwood Park Arena against the very same Wolverines in the second half of a Home and Home series. Sherwood Park will close out the home schedule against Whitecourt on February 22nd. For the full Exhibition and Regular Season Schedule, click here.
2013-14 Key Dates:
Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 – The Grand Prairie Storm look for redemption against the Cru as they pay a visit to the Sherwood Park Arena for the first time since the Cru defeated the Storm in 4 games in the first round of last year’s AJHL Playoffs.
Saturday, September 21st, 2013 – Sherwood Park will get their first crack at the team that ended their Post Season run last year. The North Division Champions Spruce Grove Saints visit the Sherwood Park Arena, the Saints defeated the Cru in 6 games in last year’s North Semi-Final, the Post Season match-up was the first time in 10 years the Capital Region rivals squared off in the Playoffs.
September 26th to 28th, 2013 – The Alberta Junior Hockey League hosts its annual Showcase with all 16 AJHL in action. The Crusaders take on the Calgary Canucks on Thursday the 26th and on Saturday the 28th the Cru will battle the Drumheller Dragons.
Saturday, October 12th, 2013 – The defending National Champions will be looking for their first win at the Sherwood Park Arena in almost 7 years. The Brooks Bandits last beat the Sherwood Park Crusaders on the road on December 16th in a 4-3 Overtime win. The 2 teams are no strangers to tight games, the Cru defeated the nationally number 1 ranked Bandits in OT last season with a late goal from Josh Healey.
Saturday, December 21st, 2013 – The Cru visit the Olds Grizzlys in their final game before the Christmas Break.
Friday, January 3rd, 2014 – Sherwood Park’s first game of the 2014 calendar against the Whitecourt Wolverines at the Sherwood Park Arena.
Monday, February 17th, 2014 – The Cru will travel to Drayton Valley to battle the Thunder for a 3pm Family Day tilt.
Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 – Sherwood Park wraps up the 2013-14 Home Schedule against the team they opened up at home, the Whitecourt Wolverines. The Crusaders won their final 3 games versus the Wolverines last season.
Saturday, March 1st, 2014 – The 35th Regular Season for the Crusaders ends in Grand Prairie against the Storm.