Rustlers, Pirates to meet in first playoff series for both teams

Expansion cousins the Red Deer Rustlers and Sylvan Lake Pirates are set to meet in round one of the North Central Hockey League playoffs.

The second-place Rustlers drew the seventh-place Pirates in the first round, a fitting matchup for the Central Alberta rivals both looking to make a mark in their first NCHL seasons.

Red Deer will host Sylvan Lake for Games one and two of the best-of-five series on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27.

Saturday’s game is set for 12:30 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. To celebrate the very first playoff game for both teams, admission to the game will be free for all fans, with a guaranteed $500 take-home prize for the 50/50.