The Calgary Canucks took control of the Whitecourt Wolverines in the AJHL Finals

The Calgary Canucks returned from Whitecourt, Alta., with a 2-0 lead in the Inter Pipeline Cup Final Seven.

The Canucks dominated at Whitecourt, winning Game 1 5-1 on Friday night before coming back to take Game 2 5-2 on Saturday night.

Forward Gavin Garland has eight goals and seven assists in the playoffs and says it's the start the Canucks have been looking for.

“It was huge, we needed those two hotel games,” he said.

“I think playing with confidence and playing together as a group, we've come together really tight the last two months and that's helped in the playoffs.”

Collected ten pucks, two left

The series now shifts to Calgary for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Puck drop for both games will be at 7:00 PM at Max Bell's Ken Bracco Arena.

After two wins at Whitecourt, 10 pucks were left on the wall and just two pucks away from winning the AJHL Championship and advancing to the Centennial Cup.

Forward Gavin Schmidt is back in the lineup after a broken ankle.

He played a big role in Game 2, scoring a pair of goals and hitting the last puck into the wall.

“Yeah, it was great,” he said. “It's a great tradition for the team and it makes us look at the bigger picture of our purpose and what we're going for.”

“It's been really good for me because I'm just coming off an injury and it took me a while to get back into it, but I feel like I've got my rhythm back.”

Wrapping the stands

The buzz for the Calgary Canucks grows with each round of the playoffs.

Forward Jack Plandowski has 10 assists in 13 playoff games.

He says he wants to see Ken Bracco Arena packed for the next two games.

“That would be really cool,” he said.

“When the whole fan base is behind and this building is packed, it's going to be quite a frenzy in here. It's fun to watch. There's not as much hockey in town at the end of the season, so while we're still playing, it's pretty cool.”

He took their honor

The Canucks have gotten better in every phase of the playoffs.

According to head coach Brad Moran, the team plays with a little too much swagger, and it's never a bad thing when it's used properly.

“They're having fun and everyone's chipping away,” he said.

“They all pull in the same way and that makes a big difference and they believe in themselves and each other. I think it's a long way to go.”