Wheat Kings - Hurricanes Ready to Rumble
April 6, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Lethbridge, AB. - The Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference Semi-Finals begin tonight on two fronts including Lethbridge, where the Hurricanes will play host to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The Wheat Kings, who rallied from two games down to defeat the Medicine Hat Tigers four games to two in their best of seven opening round series, will be hoping to run their playoff win streak to five games while the Hurricanes enter the series, having downed Red Deer in five.
In Moose Jaw meanwhile the Warriors and Broncos kick off their series after both teams survived seven game series in round one.
While the Wheat Kings finished thirteen points ahead of the Hurricanes in the final regular season standings, Lethbridge finished second to Medicine Hat in the Central Division and earned home ice advantage in the series.
Lethbridge finished with a record of 33-33-6-0 while Brandon wound up fourth in the Eastern Division and the first wild card spot in the Conference with a 40-27-3-2 mark.
During the season series between the two teams, Brandon won three of four games (1-1-0 since the WHL Trade Deadline in January) and since the Hurricanes joined the WHL in the mid eighties, the Wheat Kings have won two of three playoff series between the two - including the 1994 Eastern Conference Semi-Final when they split the first two games in Alberta, before returning home to win three straight and take the best of seven series in five.
Brandon coach David Anning says that the club's come from behind series win against the Central Division Champion Tigers has restored a lot of confidence among the players and he's anxious to get underway this weekend.
"There are a lot of positives to build off of," he recently told the Brandon Sun's Perry Bergson. "Our guys have certainly overcome challenges over the course of the playoffs and we're going to face some more difficult times in the next one."
As for the Hurricanes, who moved captain Giorgio Estephan, goalkeeper Stuart Skinner and forward Tanner Nagel at the deadline, they're led offensively by sniper Jordy Bellarive and Brad Morrison. Bellarive was chosen second overall (behind Stelio Mattheos) in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft while Morrison - a former Prince George Cougar and Vancouver Giant - is currently tied for the playoff scoring lead with sixteen points.
While Bellarive and Morrison combined for ten goals and 26 points during their first round series win over Red Deer, Brandon's playoff scoring has been spread nicely with Ty Lewis and Linden McCorrister leading the way with eight points each. Mattheos, Evan Weinger and Connor Gutenberg are next with five points in six games.
Brandon captain James Shearer, who had a goal and three points in round one, says that the 'Canes are a big, strong club that like to get to the net and will pose a stiff test for the Wheat Kings.
"They definitely work hard and they hit a lot," Shearer told the Sun. "They like to get pucks to the net and they're pretty fast too. I think we have to use our speed to our advance and our structure. As long as we stick together as a team...I think we'll be good."
The last time that these two teams faced off in post season play was ten years ago when Lethbridge took the best of seven series in six games. In the only other series between the two since the 'Canes joined the WHL came in 1998 when Brandon swept Lethbridge on their way to a date with Portland in the league championship final.
Following this weekend in Lethbridge, the series will shift to Brandon's Westoba Place for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10th and 11th.
Tickets for both games are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or by ordering online at keystonecentre.com
The WHL playoff series are a presentation of Tommy Gun's, Brandon Source for Sports, Montana's BBQ and Bar and Precision Toyota.
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