9 hours Ago By CTVNews
It took seven games, but the Lethbridge Hurricanes managed to come out on top against the Calgary Hitmen in round two of the WHL playoffs. After sweeping the first weekend in Calgary and going up 2-0, Lethbridge came home, got swept, then lost a big lead in Game 5 in Calgary last Friday night and woke up Saturday, with Game 6 looming that night, on the cusp of playoff elimination. But the ‘Canes rallied, winning 5-1 in Game 6 and then going to Calgary and snatching Game 7 3-1, pulling off the comeback.
“It feels amazing,” said Hurricanes forward, Logan Wormald, “especially to do it with this group. “I feel like we’ve got something special here, and it’s got to continue on,” Wormald said. Unger the difference Hurricanes goalie Jackson Unger stole the show in the final two games against Calgary, allowing two goals.
Unger posted a 0.964 save percentage in games where Lethbridge faced elimination. In the third period of Game 7, with the Hurricanes nursing a nervous 3-1 lead, he stopped all 19 shots he faced.
“It’s kind of a cliche for playoffs, but you need, good luck, good health and good goaltending to win in playoffs , win a playoff game, win a playoff series,” said assistant coach Matt Anholt. “And, you know, for the most part in that series, Jackson was our MVP,“ Anholt added. ”It’s no surprise that he’s won in this league.
" Tigers Waiting for the ‘Canes in the conference final are the formidable Medicine Hat Tigers. They’ll be well rested, having not played since April 17. The ‘Canes know they’ll have to contend with a deep roster headlined by teenage phenom Gavin McKenna.
“Their power play has been clipping at an elite rate. And, you know, we’ve seen what those guys can do in our building or in theirs,” said Anholt. Lethbridge forward Shane Smith is relishing the chance to play against his former team.
He was traded from the Tigers to the Hurricanes in exchange for goalie Harrison Meneghin back in October. While he doesn’t need any extra motivation for a playoff series, he’s fired up to play against his old team. “Being on that side, earlier this year, I would have never thought that this kind of situation would have happened,” Smith said, “but, no, I’m really excited to get there with this group.
“Glad to be here.” Game 1 goes Friday in Medicine Hat at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale for Games 3 and 4 in Lethbridge next Tuesday and Wednesday night.
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