Round 2 Game 3 Preview: Calgary at Lethbridge – 04.15.25
HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary Hitmen are on the road tonight for Game 3 of their 2025 WHL Eastern Conference Semi-Final series with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at VisitLethbridge.com Arena. The post season is presented by Nutrien and powered by RAM with tonight’s game live on the Alternate Stream of Sportsnet.ca/960 and streamed live for FREE on Victory+. The Hurricanes lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 following Saturday’s 2-1 triumph in Calgary. After Brayden Edwards scored on the power play to give the ‘Canes a 1-0 second period lead, Calgary’s Ben Kindel pulled the home side even with 3:04 remaining in regulation. However, it would be Cooper Gizowski who buried the game winner, scoring for Lethbridge with 2:15 left on the clock. For the second game in a row Hurricanes goaltender Jackson Unger was named the first star, stopping 33 of 34 shots. Anders Miller was also strong between the pipes for the Hitmen, making 25 saves.
2025 WHL Playoffs: Round 2 Schedule:
The Hitmen and Hurricanes second round playoff series is a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
| Game | Visitor | Home | Date/Result | Time/Series | |
| 1 | Lethbridge | @ | Calgary | Hurricanes 4 Hitmen 0 | LET leads series 1-0 |
| 2 | Lethbridge | @ | Calgary | Hurricanes 2 Hitmen 1 | LET leads series 2-0 |
| 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
GAME 2 STATS: Ben Kindel led all Hitmen with six shots on goal Saturday night. Carter Yakemchuk was next with five while Oliver Tulk notched four. Cooper Gizowski and Brayden Edwards topped the Hurricanes with four shots each. In the face-off circle, Lethbridge held the advantage, going a combined 29-55 on draws, clicking at 52.7%. Ben Kindel had a team leading 10 faceoff wins (10-16 62.5%) for Calgary while Jordan Gustafson led the ‘Canes with 11 wins (11-17 64.7%.
SERIES TRENDS: Calgary has outshot Lethbridge in both games and in three of the six periods…The Hurricanes have opened the scoring in both games and have yet to trail, holing the lead for 80 minutes and 28 seconds.
SERIES RECAP: Lethbridge leads the best-of-seven series 2-0 and has outscored Calgary by a combined 6-1.
Game 1 in CGY: Hurricanes 4 Hitmen 0…Jackson Unger posted a 33 save shutout.
Game 2 in CGY: Hurricanes 2 Hitmen 1…Lethbridge scored the game winner just 49 seconds after the Hitmen had tied the game Calgary with 3:04 left.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 67 LET 51 Power Plays: CGY 0-4 (0%) LET 3-7 (42.9%)
DO YOU REMEMBER? The last time the Hitmen trailed 2-0 in the WHL Playoffs was in 2019 when they dropped the first two games of their first-round matchup with these same Hurricanes. Calgary went won to win the next three games and eventually the series in seven games.
POST SEASON EXPERIENCE: The Hitmen have a combined 316 games of playoff experience. Sawyer Mynio leads the way with 46 games while Daniel Hauser has 38 followed by Lukas Hansen with 37.
DID YOU KNOW? Calgary went 3-1 on the road in Lethbridge during the regular season. It all began on Nov. 1, 2024, when they skated to a 5-3 victory and were led by a pair of goals from David Adaszynski. On Dec. 27, 2024, Lethbridge grabbed their lone win, a 4-1 victory, on a night when Tristen Doyle (2g, 1a) led the ‘Canes with three points. Calgary bounced back for a 3-2 win on Jan. 25, 2025, jumping out to a 3-0 first period lead on goals from Ben Kindel, Carson Wetsch and Chase Valliant. The Hitmen then grabbed the series finale on Mar. 15, 20205 when Ethan Moore scored twice for Calgary and Daniel Hauser made 24 saves in a 3-1 victory.
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: Goaltender Anders Millers leads the WHL post season with a 1.61 goals against average and is fourth with a .932 save percentage…A total of 15 Hitmen have at least a point in the playoffs and are led by Tanner Howe (2g, 7a) and Ben Kindel (6g, 3a), who at nine points each, are tied for 20th in the scoring race. A total of 10 different players have counted goals…The Hitmen are ranked 11th on the power play (3-15) at 20% while the penalty kill (15/19) is second at 80.0%.
STREAKS: None.
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.
HITMEN AWARD NOMINEES: goaltender Daniel Hauser is one of six nominees for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy given annually to the WHL Goaltender of the Year. GM Garry Davidson is one of six nominees for the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy given to the WHL Executive of the Year. Forward Oliver Tulk is one of six nominees for the Brad Hornung Trophy handed to the league’s Most Sportsmanlike Player and is also up for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy given to the WHL Player of the Year.
PLAYOFF RECORD: Calgary has a lifetime playoff record of 142-118. 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 16-4-0-1 in their last 21 games…The Hitmen have outshot their opponent in each of the last 15 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, Calgary is riding a 10-game point streak (9-0-0-1) away from Scotiabank Saddledome.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: Daniel Hauser (Upper Body, Day-to-Day), Tanner Howe (Lower Body, TBD).
UPCOMING GAMES: The Hitmen/Hurricanes series resumes tomorrow, Wednesday, Apr. 16 with Game 4 once against in Lethbridge at VisitLethbridge.com Arena. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, will return to Calgary in a 7:00 p.m. start on Friday, Apr. 18 at Scotiabank Saddledome.
