Round 2 Game 1 Preview: Calgary vs Lethbridge – 04.10.25
HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary Hitmen are on home ice tonight for the opener of their 2025 WHL Eastern Conference Semi-Final series with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. The post season is presented by Nutrien and powered by RAM with tonight’s game live on Sportsnet 960 The Fan and streamed live for FREE on Victory+. Be sure to take advantage of the $6 Hitmen Happy Hour from when doors open at 6:00 p.m. up until the opening faceoff. Items include pizza, burgers, hot dogs, 14-ounce beer, highballs and 6-ounce house wine. The Hitmen are coming off a four-game sweep of the Saskatoon Blades in the opening round after their 5-2 road triumph in Game 4 just over a week ago on Wednesday, April 2. Ben Kindel scored his first-career WHL playoff hat-trick and added an assist for a team leading four points. The Hurricanes meanwhile disposed of Brandon in five games with the series clincher six days ago on Friday, April 4 in a 5-2 home ice victory. The Hurricanes pumped 53 shots on goal and received a goal and an assist each from Brayden Yager, Jordan Gustafson, Logan McCutcheon and Noah Chadwick.
2025 WHL Playoffs: Round 2 Schedule:
The Hitmen and Hurricanes second round playoff series is a 2-2-1-1-1 format. Calgary has home-ice advantage.
| Game | Visitor | Home | Date | Time | |
| 1 | Lethbridge | @ | Calgary | Thursday, Apr.10 | 7:00 p.m. |
| 2 | Lethbridge | @ | Calgary | Saturday, Apr. 12 | 6:00 p.m. |
| 3 | Calgary | @ | Lethbridge | Tuesday, Apr. 15 | 7:00 p.m. |
| 4 | Calgary | @ | Lethbridge | Wednesday, Apr. 16 | 7:00 p.m. |
| 5 * | Lethbridge | @ | Calgary | Friday, Apr. 18 | 7:00 p.m. |
| 6 * | Calgary | @ | Lethbridge | Saturday, Apr. 19 | 7:00 p.m. |
| 7 * | Lethbridge | @ | Calgary | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
LETHBRIDGE: The Hitmen and Hurricanes met eight times during the regular season with Calgary posting a 6-2 record, including a 3-1 mark on home ice. Ben Kindel (2g, 8a) led the way with 10 points while Oliver Tulk (4g, 5a) was next with nine. Brayden Edwards (3g, 6a) was the top performing Hurricane with nine points. Logan Wormald (3g, 5a) recorded eight.
2024-25 SERIES RECAP
Sept. 29/24 in CGY: Hitmen 3 Hurricanes 1…The Hitmen raced out to a 2-0 first period lead.
Oct. 19/24 in CGY: Hitmen 6 Hurricanes 1…Six different Hitmen counted goals in the victory.
Nov. 1/24 in LET: Hitmen 5 Hurricanes 3…David Adaszynski scored twice for Calgary.
Dec. 27/24 in LET: Hurricanes 4 Hitmen 1…Tristen Doyle (2g, 1a) led the ‘Canes with three points.
Jan. 25/25 in LET: Hitmen 3 Hurricanes 2…Calgary built a 3-0 first period lead on goals from Ben Kindel, Carson Wetsch and Chase Valliant.
Feb. 2/25 in CGY: Hurricanes 4 Hitmen 3…Brayden Yager led the ‘Canes with a hat trick.
Feb. 11/25 in CGY: Hitmen 3 Hurricanes 2 OT…Oliver Tulk scored the game winner 1:40 into extra time.
Mar. 15/25 in LET: Hitmen 3 Hurricanes 1…Ethan Moore scored twice for Calgary while Daniel Hauser made 24 saves.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 260 LET 185 Power Plays: CGY 5-29 (17.2%) LET 5-24 (20.8%)
PLAYOFF HISTORY: This is the sixth time in WHL history and first time in six years the Hitmen and Hurricanes are meeting in the playoffs. Calgary has won four times.
2005: CGY 4 LET 1 Rd 1– Hitmen were led by Ryan Getzlaf (1g, 7a), Andrew Ladd (1g, 6a) and Justin Pogge (1.29 GAA).
2006: CGY 4 LET 2 Rd 1 – Hitmen were led by Freddie Pettersson (3g, 4a), Craig Lineker (7a), Brodie Dupont (3g, 3A) and Justin Pogge (2.97 GAA).
2008: LET 4 CGY 0 Rd 3 – ‘Canes were led by Mitch Fadden (1g, 6a), Zach Boychuk (4g, 2a), Carter Bancks (4g) and Juha Metsola (1.73 GAA).
2009: CGY 4 LET 0 Rd2 – Hitmen were led by Brandon Kozun (3g, 4a), Kyle Bortis (7a), Joel Broda (3g, 2a) and Martin Jones (1.00 GAA).
2019: CGY 4 LET 3 Rd1 – Hitmen were led by Mark Kastelic (5g, 2a), Carson Focht (4g, 3a), Dakota Krebs (1g, 6a) and Jack McNaughton (3.63 GAA).
PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK: The Hitmen have opened the scoring in all four games and of the 240 minutes played have never trailed, holding the lead for 160 minutes and 13 seconds. A total of 15 Hitmen had at least a point in the opening round led by Tanner Howe (2g, 7a) who is tied for 12th in the WHL post-season scoring race. A total of 10 different players counted goals… The Hitmen are ranked seventh on the power play (3-11) at 27.3% while the penalty kill (12/13) leads the WHL at 92.3%.
STREAKS: Dating back to the regular season, Ben Kindel (6g, 3a) is on a five-game point streak…Tanner Howe (2g, 7a) is riding a four-game point streak. David Adaszynski (2g) has scored in back-to-back games…Carter Yakemchuk (1g, 2a) is on a two-game point streak… Goaltender Anders Miller has won his first four career playoff games…Axel Hurtig (3a), Carson Wetsch (1g, 1a) and Connor Hvidston (1g, 1a) all saw their two-game point streaks end in Game 4 against Saskatoon.
SASKATOON SERIES RECAP: Calgary swept their best-of-seven series 4-0 and outscored Saskatoon by a combined 19-6.
Game 1 in CGY: Hitmen 4 Blades 2…Ethan Moore (2g), Tanner Howe (2a) and Sawyer Mynio (2a) all had two points each for Calgary.
Game 2 in CGY: Hitmen 5 Blades 1…Calgary fired 48 shots on goal with Ethan Moore and Brandon Gorzynski both recording (1g, 1a).
Game 3 in SAS: Hitmen 4 Blades 1…Tanner Howe and Ben Kindel scored two goals 1:25 apart in the second period to break a 1-1 tie.
Game 4 in SAS: Hitmen 6 Blades 2…After a scoreless first period, Calgary opened a 3-0 lead on goals from David Adaszynski, Ben Kindel and Carter Yakemchuk.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 168 SAS 90 Power Plays: CGY 3-11 (27.3%) SAS 1-13 (7.7%)
ALL-STARS: Four Hitmen have received Eastern Conference All-Star nods this season. Forwards Oliver Tulk and Ben Kindel were both named first-team all-stars while defenceman Carter Yakemchuk and goaltender Daniel Hauser are second-team all-stars.
AWARD NOMINEES: Hitmen goaltender Daniel Hauser is one of six nominees for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy given annually to the WHL Goaltender of the Year. Hitmen GM Garry Davidson is one of six nominees for the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy given to the WHL Executive of the Year. Hitmen forward Oliver Tulk is one of six nominees for the Brad Hornung Trophy handed to the league’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.
PLAYOFF RECORD: Calgary has a lifetime playoff record of 142-116. The Hitmen have competed in 47 series prior to this one. They have won 28 and lost 19. Calgary is 31-24 all-time in post-season overtime games.
FAST FACTS: Calgary is 16-2-0-1 in their last 19 games…The Hitmen have outshot their opponent in each of the last 13 games…During the regular season the Hitmen surrendered an Eastern Conference low 183 goals while scoring 266 goals, second most in the conference. Dating back to the regular season, the Hitmen are 28-6-1-1 at Scotiabank Saddledome while Lethbridge is 18-15-1-2 on the road.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: None.
UPCOMING GAMES: The Hitmen/Hurricanes series resumes in Calgary with Game 2 in the ‘Dome on Saturday, Apr. 12 at 6:00 p.m. Be sure to take advantage of the $6 Hitmen Happy Hour from when doors open at 6:00 p.m. up until the opening faceoff.
