On familiar terrain
Hurricanes heading to Game 7 for the second time in as many rounds
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are treading into familiar territory tonight, and it’s more than another trek into the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat.
Sure, a trip down Highway 3 to the Medicine Hat Tigers den is pretty much old hat for the Canes at this point in the season — as it is for the Tigers heading back the other way to Lethbridge — but the familiar setting tonight is just as much about the situation as it is the venue.
After a 5-2 Game 6 loss to the Tigers Sunday night at the Enmax Centre, the Hurricanes head back to Medicine Hat for the winner-takeall, best-of-one Game 7 tonight, the same win-or-go-home scenario the Hurricanes found themselves in April 4 against the Red Deer Rebels.
“We have experience in Game 7’s,” said Hurricanes defenceman Brennan Menell. “It’s do-or-die for both teams, so we know we have to come out hard and we know we have to have some guys step up. With a lot of injuries we have a lot of new guys in the lineup. It’s going to be a hard game, we’re going to go through adversity and it’s just going to be about who can overcome it.”
The Hurricanes have a bit of franchise history on their side with a perfect 4-0 record in Game 7s, one of those on the road.
That included a Game 7 win over the Tigers the last time the two teams met in the post season in 1991.
The Hurricanes took a 3-2 series lead with a 5-4 win Friday night in Medicine Hat before the Tigers returned the favour and forced Game 7.
“We’ve proven we can play in their building and we’re definitely excited for the challenge,” said Hurricanes forward Giorgio Estephan. “This will be the second Game 7. We know what to expect and we’ll definitely come out strong.
“We came up big when we needed to in Game 7 last time, so I think the guys are going to step up. We have a few guys out of the lineup, so we’re going to need a couple more guys than normal.”
Indeed, the Canes head to Medicine Hat with a banged up roster.
In Game 6, Lethbridge was without defenceman Calen Addison and forwards Ryan Vandervlis, Zak Zborosky, Zane Franklin and Matt Alfaro as well affiliated players Koltrane Wilson and Connor Lyons.
But Estephan noted his team’s willingness to fight through the numbers game.
“Our team has a lot of compete and determination,” said the prospect of the Buffalo Sabres. “We don’t want to lose. Anyone, when their back is against the wall, puts their best foot forward and I think we’ve done that in Games 5, 6 and 7 of the last series and hopefully we can do that tonight.”
“We have a lot of focus right now, backs against the wall,” added Menell. “Either you move onto the next round or you’re going home. So everyone is really preparing and we really want to come out hard.”
In the one-and-done scenario of a Game 7, controlled emotions become paramount.
It’ll become especially important with a sellout crowd on hand tonight at the Canalta Centre, the first since opening night a year-anda-half ago.
“You just have to keep your composure out there, you can’t get too high or too low,” said Menell. “If you score a big goal or you let up one, you have to keep an even keel. I think just having poise is a big thing so you can come out hard each and every shift.”
“There are definitely a bit more nerves in Game 7, it’s do-or-die,” said Estephan. “You don’t have a chance to make a lot of mistakes and it definitely gives you a couple nerves going into the game. But it’s something a couple of us cherish. You only get a few in your lifetime and you definitely have to take advantage of them when you have them.”