Canes using final regular season games as a playoff tune-up

By Lethbridge Herald on March 21, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes Sean Tschigerl attempts to make a pass before Adam Jecho of the Edmonton Oil Kings checks him during WHL action at the Enmax Centre in this February File Photo.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are using a  regular season ending home-and-home clash with the Medicine Hat Tigers to prepare for playoffs starting next week.

“It’s a good hockey team that is also in the same spot as us in trying to make sure they’re ready to go for playoffs,” said Ryan Aasman, Canes assistant coach.

“ They kind of know who their opponent is (Red Deer)already in that it is a good opponent that’s well-structured and plays a heavy game and very kind of similar to us. I think Medicine Hat will bring their best foot forward this weekend, and we have a good opportunity to make sure that we have our details  together and two games should help us get ready for that.”

The Hurricanes will look lock up sixth place this weekend.

“Yeah just to try to finish as high as you can,” said Aasman.

“Try to come in and get four points this weekend and keep playing the right way. We’ve been playing good hockey as of late, we want to keep that going, and make sure that we’re taking our good habits into playoffs.”

Aasman agreed that it makes a difference ending off the regular season against a team that’s already in the playoffs.

“I think both teams are going to dress good line ups and make sure that we’re ready to go,” said Aasman.

“It should be good hockey and that’s kind of what you want. Last year we were in a position where we rested guys in the last game. So we were happy to have this as a different way to go this year.”

Defenceman Will Sharpe sees these games being important in terms of where they finish in the standings.

“So I feel like  it’s important to just stick with our systems, keep doing what we’re doing , and obviously keep it rolling going into playoffs,” said Sharpe.

Sean Tschigerl said just show up and be competitive, when asked about what he wants to see from the team this weekend going into playoffs.

“We want to be dialed in on special teams, be good five-on-five and play our game,” said Tschigerl.

“Obviously when you’re playing our game, we’re doing well and we’re  playing good, that’s what we want.”

The Hurricanes’ opening round opponent is yet to be determined.

Puck drop between the Tigers and Hurricanes is tonight at 7 p.m. from the Enmax Centre.