The Airdrie Thunder developed an intense rivalry with their former divisional counterparts, the Okotoks Bisons.[citation needed] The Thunder handed the Bisons their only two losses in the 2005–06 season, while the four victories for Okotoks were the only four games the Thunder lost. The Bisons eliminated the Thunder in the league semi-finals.
The two rivals also met in the 2005 HJHL finals, with Okotoks again coming out the victors in a tough five-game series. Despite losing the championship, the Thunder qualified for the Alberta Provincials, held in Calgary but failed to advance to the medal round.
Airdrie's best season to date[when?] was 1999–2000, when they captured their second league title in four years before going on to win the silver medal at the Alberta Provincial Junior B Hockey Championship, which was also hosted by the Thunder.
The Thunder have played in the North Division since 2011–12. In recent years[when?] the Thunder have developed a heated rivalry with the Red Deer Vipers.[citation needed] The Vipers and Thunder have now[when?] met in three consecutive playoff series. The Thunder knocked off Red Deer in seven games in the 2016 north semi-final. The Vipers have exacted revenge twice since, beating Airdrie in six games in the 2017 north semi-final and 2018 north final.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Won Div. Semifinals, 3-1 (Wranglers) Lost Div. Finals, 2-4 (Vipers)
2018-19
38
35
3
-
0
70
-
-
-
1st of 7, Nor 1st of 14 HJHL
Won Div. Semifinals, 4-0 (Wranglers) Won Div. Finals, 4-2 (Colts) Won League Finals 3-0 (Copperheads) Heritage Jr B CHAMPIONS Advance to Alberta Championships (see below)
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Larry Smith[ when? ][ citation needed ]
