The Lethbridge Hurricanes are just days away from playing the biggest hockey game the city has seen in seven years. Watching the team practice this week, it’s hard to tell if they’re feeling any pressure at all. From the smiles on the faces of players, to the little jabs going around, the Hurricanes are loose – but that doesn’t mean they’re not focused.
“We’re just looking at game one right now,” said Head Coach Brent Kisio. “That’s where our focus is. We want to be prepared for that game, mentally, emotionally, and hopefully we’re structurally in the right spot as well”
The second seeded Hurricanes are set to meet the Regina Pats in round one – a team that’s proved to be a difficult matchup for the ‘Canes this season. Regina won three of the four games the teams played, including a classic 9-8 shootout win in Lethbridge back in February.
Each team possesses a plethora of offensive weapons, as the two clubs combined to score 46 goals in their four games.
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“When we’ve played Regina we’ve gotten into scoring matches,” said forward Brayden Burke. “At times we haven’t played defence, or haven’t chipped pucks deep, and tried to make too many special plays”
Defenceman Andrew Nielsen isn’t concerned about the teams head-to-head record with the Pats this season.
“It’s one of the teams that we maybe haven’t had the most success against all year,” said Nielsen. “But, we know that we match up well if not better than they do against us.”
In order to get by the Pats, the ‘Canes will need to contain one of the most lethal players in the WHL. Regina centre Adam Brooks has been tearing apart defences all season, en route to a league-leading 120 points in 72 games.
“He’s a tough assignment,” said Kisio. “He’s a really good hockey player and it’s hard to lead the league in scoring, and he managed to do that. So I’m sure he’s seen a lot of different looks and we just have to find the right way to play him.”
With the most home wins (28) in the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes know the ‘right’ way it play at the Enmax Centre. Their fans appreciate the new winning culture, as attendance continues to rise. And, with expected sell-out crowds waiting for them in the playoffs, the ‘Canes can’t wait for Friday night.
“It’s going to be nuts,” said Nielsen. “We’re ready to go, and nice to be able to say there’s playoff hockey back in Lethbridge, and me and the rest of the guys are happy to be a part of it.”
The Hurricanes open up their series with the Pats this Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Enmax Centre.
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