March 23rd is rich with playoff history for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, it is typically a date that falls square in round one of the WHL playoffs. Looking back to 1997, they’ve played six times on this date. Let’s look back on the successes and failures on this day in Hurricanes’ history.
2019 Playoffs, Game two vs. the Hitmen
This day last season, the Hurricanes and Hitmen squared off in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series. Coming off a 3-2OT win in Game 1, the Hurricanes looked for a 2-0 series lead. Jake Leschyshyn recorded a hat trick to lead Lethbridge to a 4-1 win over the visiting Hitmen. Nick Henry also tallied, his second of the playoffs came just 25 seconds into the game. Dakota Krebs recorded the lone goal for Calgary breaking Carl Tetachuk’s shutout bid in the third period. The local product made 32 saves for the win and the 2-0 series lead.
Special teams played a big part in the result of the game. Hitmen went 0-for-7 on the man-advantage, while the Hurricanes tallied twice on four chances. The Hitmen outshot the Hurricanes 33-32 on the night.
2018 Playoffs, Opening nightÂ
Kicking off playoffs, the Hurricanes welcomed divisional rival Red Deer Rebels to the Enmax Center for Game 1 of their opening-round series and it was all Hurricanes in this one. The Windy City received six goals from six different players including; Taylor Ross, Tate Olsen, Brad Morrison, Jordy Bellerive, Logan Barlage, and Jake Elmer. Overaged goaltender Logan Flodell recorded a 30 save shutout in the 6-0 win. Jadon Joesph chipped in with three helpers on the night to lead the team in points.
The Lethbridge power-play was a catalyst in the victory going a perfect three for three on the night while the Hurricanes penalty kill was perfect killing off all seven penalties against. Final shots read 30-26 for Red Deer.
2002 Playoffs, Game two vs. the Rebels
Going back 18 years to 2002, the Hurricanes were in the middle of a series that would not be kind to them. Eventually being swept in the opening round against the Red Deer Rebels. This game was close as they would come to getting a win in the series.
The Hurricanes got a pair of goals from import Tomas Kopecky and another from future NHLer Brent Seabrook but it was not enough on this night. The team fell 5-3 to the Rebels. Five different Rebels found the back of the net behind goalie Logan Koopmans. His counterpart Cam Ward was not very busy making just 19 saves for the win.
2001 Playoffs, Comeback win over Red Deer
Another playoff battle against the Red Deer Rebels kicked off with a thrilling overtime game. The Hurricanes fell behind thanks to two goals from Kyle Wanvig of the Rebels. A late second-period goal from Tomas Kopecky got the ball rolling for the Hurricanes who went on to force overtime. Brain Patterson played the hero 7:46 into the overtime period to give Lethbridge a 3-2OT win and a 1-0 series lead.
Blake Ward earned the win with 30 saves on the night for the Hurricanes. The powerplay for Lethbridge went a disappointing 0-for-7 and luckily didn’t cost them this game. This would be the lone win of the series as Red Deer went on for the 4-1 series win en route to winning the WHL Championship and Memorial Cup title.
1998 Playoffs, swept by Brandon
The Lethbridge Hurricanes had no luck back in the 1998 playoffs. Hanging on the brink of elimination the Hurricanes welcomed the Brandon Wheat Kings for Game 4 of their opening-round series. Much like most of this series, it was all Wheat Kings. A disappointing playoff would come to a close with a 4-1 loss. Evgueni Tsybouk scored the lone goal for Lethbridge while Jason Mclean made 25 saves in the loss.
After sweeping the Hurricanes, the Wheat Kings would make it to the WHL Championship before falling to the Portland Winter Hawks.
1997 Championship march continues
After leading the league all season and finishing in first place the Hurricanes strong play continued in round one of their playoff series against the Prince Albert Raiders. Winning both games at home the Hurricanes rolled into Prince Albert looking to take a stranglehold on the series.
Bryon Ritchie struck twice to lead the way and Darren Shakotko scored the game-winner at 14:17 of the third period as the Hurricanes skated away with a 5-4 win. Blaine Russell made 26 saves in the win. This was a penalty-filled affair with 14 power plays in total. The Hurricanes went 1-for-9 while the Raiders went scoreless on five chances with the man advantage.
The Hurricanes went on to sweep this series. This was the springboard to their only WHL Championship in franchise history.
