Hurricanes knock off Wheat Kings in 5 games; advance to Conference Final

For the second straight season the Lethbridge Hurricanes have advanced to the WHL’s Eastern Conference Final.

The Hurricanes defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings 3-0 at the Enmax Centre on Friday night to win their second round best-of-seven series in five games. A huge accomplishment for a team that traded away two star players at the trade deadline.

“If you would have asked us after the trade deadline if we’d be going back (to the Conference Final) I think a lot of people would kind of laugh at us,” Hurricanes Captain Jordy Bellerive said. “But it was interesting when we got together as a team we knew we had something special with the character and how close we bonded together so fast. It’s unbelievable, we’re really excited about it.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If you would have asked us after the trade deadline if we'd be going back (to the Conference Final) I think a lot of people would kind of laugh at us," Hurricanes Captain Jordy Bellerive said. "But it was interesting when we got together as a team we knew we had something special with the character and how close we bonded together so fast. It's unbelievable, we're really excited about it."

Midway through the first period the Wheat Kings went to the power play looking to take the lead, but it was the Hurricanes asserting themselves. Brad Morrison skated in on a breakaway and beat Dylan Myskiw up-stairs to give the ‘Canes a 1-0 lead.

The first period marker was yet another big goal for Morrison. The Prince George native has been brilliant in the playoffs, his 29 points lead all WHL players in scoring.

“This is a lot of fun. I don’t think words can really explain going to the third round with a team like this,” Morrison said. “We’ve got a group that’s really tight in there right now and we believe anything is possible.”

The game would remain 1-0 until ten minutes into the second period when the Hurricanes went to the man advantage. On the power play Logan Barlage would bury a loose puck to make it 2-0 Hurricanes.

The Wheat Kings would fight back, firing 32 shots on the Hurricanes net, but they couldn’t get anything past Logan Flodell.

“He’s been unbelievable. I think that people didn’t really understand what kind of goalie he was when we picked him up,” Bellerive said. “Obviously the fans were upset about Skinner (being traded), but I don’t think there too upset anymore with Flodell in net. He’s pretty spectacular.”

The Hurricanes clamped down defensively and Morrison added an empty net goal as the team went on to a 3-0 victory. The win sends the ‘Canes to the third round of the post-season.

As a struggling team coming into playoffs, some doubted the Hurricanes could get this far, but that’s never bothered Head Coach Brent Kisio.

“People can say what they want, we don’t care,” Kisio said. “We’ve got good hockey players here who play hard. We have the best fans in the league. When you put that combo together, you’re going to win some games.”

In Round 3, Lethbridge will face either the Swift Current Broncos or Moose Jaw Warriors.

A match-up with the Broncos would be highly intriguing for both the fans and players. The ‘Canes made a blockbuster deal with the Broncos at the trade deadline, sending captain Giorgio Estephan and goaltender Stuart Skinner to Swift Current.

In return the ‘Canes received a number of players and draft picks including star netminder Logan Flodell.

As for who Flodell wants to play in the Eastern Conference Final, you might have to read between the lines to find out.

“We all know who we want to play,” Flodell said with a grin. “But at the end of the day who we have to play is who we’ll get ready for.”

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Through five games the Broncos lead their series with the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-2.