Hurricanes ready to drop puck on playoffs

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on April 21, 2022.

For the first time since 2019, the Lethbridge Hurricanes will step on the ice for a postseason game tonight in Edmonton against Oil Kings for Game 1 of the first round of the 2022 WHL playoffs.
“Well, we’re excited,” said Brent Kisio, Hurricanes head coach.
“We’ve kind of been in playoff mode for a long time now trying to make it. And credit to our group, we’ve played some great hockey as of late and coming down the stretch we were real happy with our group and the way we played. We were able to get in and we have a tough battle in front of us with Edmonton now, but we’re in the dance and we have an opportunity.”
Kisio thinks the Eastern Conference quarterfinal match up with Edmonton will be a good challenge for his group.
“There’s not a lot of weaknesses to their team,” he said.
“We feel if we play the right way and we stick to our structure and we’ve seen it as of late, it doesn’t matter who we play, it gives us a good chance to win.”
Kisio said it’s just exciting to get back and see that building (Enmax Centre) rocking again.
“As of late our building has been packed and such a different environment (compared )to back to how it used to be — kind of feels like in the old days,” said Kisio.
“So, it’s an exciting time. Our group, we thrive off that. We thrive in those environments and our rink come playoff time; it changes. It’s a different environment and it’s fun to play in and it’s fun to coach in. Playoffs is different — it’s a just special time of year.”
Joe Arntsen will be getting his first taste of playoff action in his third season with the club and his excited for the experience.
“For a lot of the season, we battled for a playoff spot, and then with a few games left we clinched one,” he said.
“So it’s really exciting.”
Arntsen said they’ve been watching some video and going over some their structure.
“Just kind of keep it simple and don’t overthink it too much and play our game,” he said.
Justin Hall is one of the few players who has had some playoff experience in the last few years and feels it’s a big series for the team.
“Well, they’ve got a lot top-end skill,” said Hall.
“But I think we’ve been pretty good at neutralizing that all year against a lot of the top teams. So, you know, just neutralizing that again. We know who their big guys are and we know how we have to play against them — play them hard, finish checks, don’t give them any space. I think we’re pretty good.”
Puck drop is 7 p.m. tonight from Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Game 2 is Saturday also in Edmonton before the series shifts to Lethbridge for Game 3 on April 26 and Game 4 on April 28, with a game time at 7 p.m. both nights
If necessary, Game 5 is slated for April 30 in Edmonton, Game 6 on May 1 back at the Enmax Centre and Game 7 would be May 3 in Alberta’s capital city.