Lethbridge Hurricanes close out regular season, look to lock up playoff opponent
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are wrapping up their regular season with a home-and-home series against the Red Deer Rebels.
It's the final test for the Canes before they head into the post-season.
Friday night's game is the fifth meeting between the two clubs this year.
The Canes have posted a 2-1-1-0 record against the Rebels.
"We've played Red Deer hard this year" said Brent Kisio, head coach.
"The last time didn't go our way but I think it's good preparation for us heading into the playoffs to play a team like Red Deer."
For the seventh straight season, the Hurricanes have secured a spot in the WHL Playoffs.
In 2020 and 2021, the post-season was cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.
The Canes were swept by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first round last season.
"We're super pumped," said Cole Shepard, Canes forward.
"I think it's what you look forward to all year and I think we're really ready."
The Hurricanes still don’t know who they’ll face in the playoffs.
They need a single point either Friday or Saturday night against the Rebels or for the Regina Pats to lose one of their weekend games to lock up fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
A fifth-place finish will see them meet the Moose Jaw Warriors in the first round.
"Moose Jaw is a good team and we want to play them and we want to beat them in the first round," said Miguel Marques, Canes forward.
"We just have to win one game and then take it from there to the playoffs."
"We're playing for fifth place, which is important," Kisio said.
"So we have a big task at hand with Red Deer. We know how good they are and they're one of the best in the league, so it's a great challenge for us."
Either way, the Canes will start the playoffs on the road.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau talks border, trade in surprise dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed border security and trade during a surprise dinner with U.S.-president elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Friday evening, according to senior government sources.
W5 Investigates 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group
An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group.
Trump and Republicans in Congress eye an ambitious 100-day agenda, starting with tax cuts
Republicans are planning an ambitious 100-day agenda with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump in the White House and GOP lawmakers in a congressional majority to accomplish their policy goals.
Are scented candles bad for you? What the science says
Concerns about the safety of candles are rooted in the chemical reactions that occur when you burn them, as well as in the artificial fragrances and colorants that contribute to the various scents you may love.
'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!': Details emerge in Boeing 737 incident at Montreal airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Postal workers union files unfair labour practice complaint over Canada Post layoffs
The union representing Canada Post workers has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board over the layoffs of striking employees.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
'Absolutely been a success': Responders looks back at 988, Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline, one year later
In its first year, responders for Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline, known as 988, have answered more than 300,000 calls and texts in communities nationwide.
Magic can't save 'Harry Potter' star Rupert Grint from a US$2.3 million tax bill
Former 'Harry Potter' film actor Rupert Grint faces a 1.8 million-pound (US$2.3 million) bill after he lost a legal battle with the tax authorities.