The Rocky Rams are preparing to face a familiar foe to kick off the 2026 HJHL playoffs — the Airdrie Techmation Thunder.

The playoff-bound Rams ended the regular season with an 11-24-1 record following a pair of losses on Jan. 30–31.

Jan. 30 vs. Red Deer Vipers

The Rams stumbled out of the gate, giving up six unanswered goals.

A would-be comeback effort followed in the second half of the game, with the Rams scoring four unanswered goals of their own. Clayton Johnson, Dextin Dieterle-Reimer, Keagan Landry and Landon Green all found the back of the net, but the Vipers’ Mason Hastings sealed the deal with an empty-netter for the visitors.

Final score: Red Deer 7, Rocky 4

With the victory, the 26-8-2 Vipers not only clinched the North Division Championship but also the HJHL Regular Season Championship, fending off tough challenges from Mountain View and Sylvan Lake.

Jan. 31 vs. Airdrie Techmation Thunder

Widely seen as a tune-up game ahead of the playoffs, the Rams closed out the 2025–26 regular season against the Thunder.

Rocky entered the second period with a 2-1 lead on the strength of a goal from Dextin Dieterle-Reimer. However, the Thunder responded in the back half of the game with three unanswered goals, including a power-play marker from Daytn Kulynych and an empty-netter from Ty Brander.

Final score: Airdrie 4, Rocky 2

Head coach Wendall Mason said the game was played with the upcoming playoffs looming large.

“We sat a couple players out just to give them some extra rest ahead of the playoffs,” Mason said. “We’re focused on finishing every check and making sure Airdrie knows we’re ready.”

The Rams went 1-4 against Airdrie this season, with their lone win coming Jan. 23 in the form of a 6-5 overtime victory at the Rob Ebbeson Arena.

Playoffs begin Feb. 3

The HJHL playoffs begin Tuesday, Feb. 3, with the Rams facing the Thunder in the Series A qualifier round.

Mason says the team will prioritize proper rest and nutrition to ensure the full squad is ready for a competitive series.

The best-of-three opens with Game 1 on the road Feb. 3. The series returns to Rocky on Feb. 7 for an 8:30 p.m. puck drop.

If necessary, Game 3 will be played Monday, Feb. 9.

Meanwhile, the Carstar Okotoks Bisons and Coaldale Copperheads will kick off the Series B qualifier round on Feb. 4.