A Look at Brandon-Lethbridge Playoff History
April 4, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon, MB. - The Brandon Wheat Kings continue preparations for their Western Hockey League Eastern Conference Semi-Final series with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Wheat Kings, who defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers in the best of seven opening round, will leave Brandon Wednesday and will practice in Lethbridge Thursday on the eve of their best of seven series.
This marks the first time in ten years that Brandon and the Hurricanes have faced off in post-season play and the third time since Lethbridge returned to the WHL in 1987.
In 2008, the Hurricanes - led by Dwight King, Carter Ashton and Zach Boychuk - defeated Brandon four games to two in the opening round.
The Wheat Kings roster featured the likes of Daryl Boyle, Keith Aulie and rookies Brayden Schenn, Scott Glennie and Matt Calvert.
The last time Brandon met the Hurricanes in a Conference Semi-Final was 1994 when Marty Murray, Darren Ritchie, Wade Redden, netminder Byron Penstock and the Wheat Kings downed Lethbridge four games to one. The 'Canes featured all star center Dominic Pittis, who finished third in league scoring with 58 goals and 127 points in 72 games.
The only other playoff match-up between the two came in a first round series in 1998.
Despite finishing third during the regular season, the Wheat Kings swept Lethbridge in four games en route to winning their third Eastern Conference Title in four years.
The Wheat Kings, whose roster included such stars as Cory Cyrenne, Peter Schaefer and Burke Henry wound up losing to the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL Championship Final.
While this series will mark the fourth time that the 'Canes and Wheat Kings have hooked up in the playoffs, it will be the sixth time in franchise history that Brandon has met a club from Lethbridge in post-season play.
Prior to the arrival of the Hurricanes from Calgary, the city of Lethbridge cheered on the Broncos, who moved from Swift Current in 1974.
In the 22 years between '74 and '96, the Wheat Kings battled the Lethbridge Broncos in two playoff series.
Ray Ferraro, Cam Plante and Ron Hextall led Brandon past Ken Wregget and Mark Tinordi four games to one in round one of the '84 playoffs while the Wheat Kings swept the Broncos four games to nothing in the '77 WHL Semi-Finals.
That Wheat King team that wound up losing to the New Westminster Bruins in the League Championship Final, were blessed with all stars up and down the lineup. Among them - Bill Derlago, Ray Allison, Brian Propp, Dan Bonar, Brad McCrimmon and Glen Hanlon.
Steve Tambellini meanwhile was the Broncos' Most Valuable Player that year.
Overall, Brandon has won four of five series played between the two prairie cities and twenty of 24 games overall. The Wheat Kings are 12-3-0 vs the Hurricanes and 8-1-0 in games against the old Lethbridge Broncos.
Winners of three of four games played between the two during the regular season, the Wheat Kings finished with a record of 40-27-3-2 this past season, good for the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Lethbridge meanwhile finished second in the Central Division with a record of 33-33-6-0 and second place behind Medicine Hat.
The Hurricanes defeated Red Deer four games to one to earn the right to meet Brandon in round two.
Following back to back games in Lethbridge this weekend, the series will shift to Brandon's Westoba Place for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Tickets to both games in Brandon are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com
The Wheat Kings second round playoff series is a presentation of Precision Toyota, Brandon Source for Sports, Tommy Gun's and Montana's BBQ and Bar.
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