Okotoks Dawgs begin WCBL playoffs as President's Trophy champions chasing fourth title in five years

The Okotoks Dawgs enter the WCBL playoffs as the West Division's top seed and President's Trophy winners after compiling a dominant 42-14 regular-season record—a full 20 games ahead of fourth-place Edmonton.

The Dawgs begin their championship mission Friday at 7:05 p.m. against the Energy City Cactus Rats in a best-of-three West Division semifinal at Seaman Stadium. Game 2 follows Saturday at the same time; if necessary, Game 3 takes place Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

Okotoks dominated the season series, winning 7 of 8 games. The Dawgs enter on a four-game win streak while Energy City has dropped its past two contests—both to Okotoks on Tuesday and Wednesday. Last season, the Dawgs reached the West final before falling to Sylvan Lake, which then lost the championship series to Regina.

The Dawgs are chasing their fourth Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy in five years and ninth overall for the organization. Home-field advantage throughout the playoffs gives them a structural edge. "We're very competitive at home," said a club official quoted in prior coverage.

Other division semifinals pit second-seed Sylvan Lake against third-seed Lethbridge in the West, and in the East, top-seed Moose Jaw faces the fourth-place team while second-seed Saskatoon plays defending champion Regina. The West final winner advances to the league championship series.