The Carstar Okotoks Bisons have completed the "three-peat" and have officially claimed the Heritage Junior B (HJHL) league championship for the third time in a row, winning a close 1-0 game.

The first period and the majority of the second period would see no scoring. That is until Easton Dean captured his fifth goal of the post-season with only 14 seconds left in the second frame to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead.

That was the only goal the Bisons would need as Grady Nicholas, the Herds goaltender, stood tall again stopping every shot coming his way. Nicholas played a full 120 minutes not allowing a goal in back-to-back games, claiming his second shutout of the series and the third of the playoffs. Nicholas stopped a total of 49 shots in the final two games, proving why he was the HJHL Top Goalie this season.

The Bisons went undefeated in elimination games during this year's playoffs, proving that their mental game is as strong as their on-ice play.

While Brad Cobb, head coach of the Bisons, his staff, and his players can celebrate tonight and have a blissful bus ride home, hockey is not over for the Herd. They have now moved on to the Provincial championships.

The other teams who have earned their spot at Provincials are the La Crete Lumber Barons, North Peace Navigators, NWCAA Stampeders, St. Albert Merchants, and Wainwright Bisons.

The Bisons' first game is on Wednesday afternoon (April 3) at 1:00 in Peace River, when they challenge the St. Albert Merchants.

The round-robin portion of the tournament goes from April 3 to April 6, with the medal games both being played on April 7.