Hurricanes Double Wheat Kings 6-3 in Game 1
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Stringam Law on Friday with a 6-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings in Game 1 at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
It marked the first-time since 2019 that the Hurricanes held home-ice advantage in a playoff series. The Hurricanes had a strong start to the game; after killing an early penalty against, the ‘Canes struck on a power play of their own at the 4:28 mark when Leo Braillard tapped home a centering pass from Brayden Yager for his second career playoff goal to make it 1-0; Brayden Edwards earned the second assist on the goal. Lethbridge doubled their lead at the 13:22 mark when Vojtech Port jumped into a rush and wired home his first ever playoff goal while four-on-four to make it a 2-0 lead; Braillard and Noah Chadwick picked up the helpers on the goal. Just 18-seconds later, however, Brandon answered with a four-on-four goal of their own when Nolan Flamand snapped home a goal to make it 2-1. Lethbridge outshot Brandon 15-12 in the first period and held the one-goal lead.
The Hurricanes opened the second period with fireworks potting two goals in a span of 13-second to open a 4-1 lead. Shane Smith buried a one-timer on a pass from Kooper Gizowski to make it a two-goal lead with his first of the post-season before Anthony Wilson scored an unassisted goal to make it a 4-1 game. Just over three-minutes later, the Wheat Kings dug into the ‘Canes lead with a power play goal by Roger McQueen who ripped home his fifth-career playoff goal to make it 4-2; Quinn Mantei and Jordan Gavin earned the assists on the goal. Brandon stuck again at the 14:15 mark at the when Dylan Ronald beat Jackson Unger with a blast from the left circle while four-on-four making it a 4-3 contest. Lethbridge pulled back in front by two with 13-seconds left in the period as Gizowski snapped one by Carson Bjarnason on a three-on-two giving the Hurricanes a 5-3 lead after two periods; Smith and Jordan Gustafson picked up with the assists on the insurance goal. The Hurricanes outshot the Wheat Kings 14-13 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Hurricanes outshot the Wheat Kings 17-10. Lethbridge extended their lead at the 7:24 mark when Braillard slipped one through the legs of Bjarnason for his second goal of the game to make it a 6-3 Hurricanes lead; Yager and Tristen Doyle were credited with the assists on the goal. Brandon looked to chip into the Lethbridge lead with a power play when Miguel Marques was assessed a goaltender interference penalty, but Unger was terrific keeping the lead preserved as the Hurricanes skated to a 6-3 Game 1 victory.
The Hurricanes outshot the Wheat Kings 46-35 in the game. Lethbridge went 1/2 on the power play while Brandon was 1/5 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #28 Leo Braillard (2 goals, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #10 Shane Smith (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) Wheat Kings – #91 Nolan Flamand (1 goal, 1 assist)
The win for the Hurricanes was their first playoff victory in 2,189 days dating back to March 31st, 2019 ending a 13-game losing streak in the post-season. Lethbridge takes a 1-0 series lead with the win while improving to 4-0-0-1 against Brandon this season, playoffs and regular season combined. The Hurricanes’ record in Game 1’s lifted to 4-1 all-time against the Wheat Kings in the playoffs while improving to 21-20 all-time.
The Hurricanes will host the Wheat Kings in Game 2 of the WHL Playoffs tomorrow at 6:00pm at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena before the series shifts to Virden for Games 3 & 4. Tickets for Game 2 can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre or VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.
