ROUND 3 BEGINS TONIGHT
Lethbridge and Swift Current linked through history — and a major trade
The Broncos have called both Swift Current and Lethbridge home.
The Hurricanes and the Broncos have never met in the WHL playoffs before.
The two teams were involved in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline this season and should have a line on each other’s goalies.
But when the puck drops for Game 1 tonight in Swift Current, all of the stats, history and built-in storylines will get tossed aside.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes face the Broncos in the Eastern Conference Final, with the winner from this best-ofseven series heading to the WHL Championship and a shot to play in the 2018 Memorial Cup.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge,” said Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio before practice earlier this week.
“They’re a really good hockey club. They’ve been one of the best teams in our league all year long. We have our work cut out for us, but we’ve got a plan in place and we’ll try to execute it.”
“They’re a great team, but anything can happen in the playoffs,” said Canes captain Jordy Bellerive.
“We’re a great team, too. It’s kind of weird that we were kind of so-called ‘sold’ to them this year for the run and now we are going to be meeting up with them again. I think it’s a pretty special opportunity for us. There’s definitely extra motivation — kind of just want to prove them wrong. For us, being the underdog I think is a good opportunity to challenge ourselves and challenge them. It’s a good matchup for us.”
The Hurricanes enter the third round of the playoffs after beating both the Red Deer Rebels and Brandon Wheat Kings in five games — which earned them a few extra rest days.
After needing seven games to beat the Regina Pats in round one, the Broncos beat the Moose Jaw Warriors, who entered the playoffs ranked No. 2 in the CHL, in Game 7 Monday night.
Members of the Hurricanes watched that Broncos-Warriors Game 7 at goaltender Logan Flodell’s place.
“I never thought we’d see them in playoffs, but I guess that’s the way the hockey world works out,” said Flodell, who was traded to the Canes from Swift Current, along with Logan Barlage, Owen Blocker, Matthew Stanley, and three draft picks, for Giorgio Estephan, Stuart Skinner and Tanner Nagel, in January.
“It’s pretty surreal,” said Barlage. “I’m excited to go back to that barn. I’m used to it there so I’ll be comfortable; pretty crazy place there, just like here. Lots of motivation to play against old teammates. It will be a good series. We’re ready to go.”
Kisio acknowledged the trade this week and said players and coaches on both sides have a mutual respect and camaraderie.
“But, it’s the third round of the playoffs,” he said. “When it gets to that point, the friendships and everything gets put aside. It’s about battling for your teammates and trying to find a way to win. We want to go to the final.”
Swift Current was 3-1 against Lethbridge during the regular season. Ironically, Flodell was 4-0 in the season series, winning three times with the Broncos and once with the Hurricanes.
“I guess I never really read into that, but that’s good to hear,” he said. “I’ve got to do the same thing. I’ve got to be hard working, be a wall back there. That’s my job.”
“We know a lot about him from practice and from playing with him,” Bellerive added, referring to Skinner — now the opposing goalie. “Hopefully we’ll have his number at some point. It was emotional the first time they were here. I don’t think they really expected to be coming back again, so I think it’s exciting for all of us. It’s going to be really competitive.”
“No friends on the ice, but it’s going to be a little bit weird,” said forward Zane Franklin.
“They’re a deep team, but I think we’re just as deep down the middle. Both teams’ d-men are good, goalies are awesome, so it will be fun. It’s going to be a big series. It’s just going to add another chapter to the storybook.”
Lethbridge is in the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight season. The only previous time they’ve done that was in 1990 and 1991 when the team advanced to the WHL Final.
The winner between Swift Current and Lethbridge will face the winner of the Everett Silvertips vs. Tri-City Americans Western Conference Final.