The Airdrie Thunder have already punched their ticket to the semi-finals at the Junior "B" Hockey Provincials in Wetaskiwin, and they've done it with a game to spare.  

Last night (April 5) Airdrie beat the Grande Prairie JDA Kings 6 - 2.  The win clinched first place in Pool "A" with two wins and no losses for the Thunder which makes today's game against the Calgary Royals Golde a meaningless one, as far as the standings go.

Tyler Petrie and Brayden Dunn each had two goals for the Thunder against the Kings last night.  Airdrie stormed out to a 5 - 0 lead before taking their foot off the gas.  Zac Giroux and Rylan Plante-Crough also scored for the Thunder.  Zak Larson played well in goal as the Thunder outshot Grande Prairie 47 - 32.  

Airdrie played much of the game shorthanded.  "The officials struggled and the game never really got any flow to it," according to Head Coach Derek Stamp.  "Our guys were solid and our special teams were really good."

The game between the Thunder and the Royals gets underway this afternoon at 12:15 pm.  In tonight's 8:00 pm semi-finals, the Thunder will play the team that finishes second in Pool "B."

The championship game is set for 2:00 pm tomorrow. 

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