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
Stricter regulation of candidate nominations a 'complex space': PM's chief of staff
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's chief of staff says there's no simple answer to bolstering the integrity of political nomination contests.
Thousands of cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems
When you go through the chore of cleaning your home, you hope the end result is a safer, healthier environment for you and your loved ones. But some of the products you are using might put your health at risk.
Rufus Wainwright calls Trump's use of 'Hallelujah' cover the 'height of blasphemy'
Rufus Wainwright says he was 'horrified' to learn that Donald Trump played his cover version of 'Hallelujah' during a presidential campaign event in Pennsylvania on Monday.
90 charges withdrawn against father and his common-law partner in Edmonton child abuse case
Charges have been withdrawn against a man and a woman who faced a combined 90 charges in a child and animal abuse case.
Canadian support for Donald Trump higher than in last U.S. presidential election, survey finds
While more Canadians are signalling their support former U.S. president Donald Trump, the majority remains hopeful for a Democratic win.
BREAKING Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list
Canada is listing the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist group, while the U.S. has added a Canadian citizen affiliated with the organization to its counter-terrorism list.
Canadian teen wins second place in international neuroscience competition
A Winnipeg high school student placed second in an international neuroscience contest where she competed against nearly 3,000 other students from 40 countries in Chicago, Ill.
Food prices continue to outpace inflation in Canada
For the second straight month, grocery prices in Canada rose faster than the inflation rate, and beef in particular is significantly pricier than it was last year.
Cold weather, even snow, hits parts of Eastern Canada while West stays mild
It will feel more like winter for some parts of Eastern Canada over the next few days, with single-digit highs and snow in the forecast.