Canes take stranglehold on series

By Lethbridge Herald on April 1, 2025.

Photo by Perry Bergson/Brandon Sun Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Gio Pantelas (84) uses his hip to knock the puck off the stick of Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Brayden Yagr (19) during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at Virden's Tundra Oil and Gas Place on Tuesday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun) April 1, 2025

The Lethbridge Hurricanes took a commanding 3-0 series lead in their best-of-seven Western Hockey League quarterfinal playoff series with the Brandon Wheat Kings after a 3-1 road win on Tuesday night at Virden’s Tundra Oil and Gas Place.

“It was a real greasy road win,” said Matt Anholt, Canes associate head coach.

“I think when you look in the dictionary (of) what greasy road wins look like, it’s getting some puck luck. Obviously (with) our first goal, we got some puck luck, and then having a skilled goal there with Leo right after and then having extremely excellent goaltending.”

Canes Carsen Adair got the scoring going in the game and Anholt spoke about the importance of that start.

“Our first period was probably our only period that we were really happy about and a lot of it had to do with the fact that Carsen got us going early,” said Anholt.

The Canes had to adjust to an unfamiliar neutral site arena.

“I think it’s just being simple early, not letting the game get out of hand (and) just let the game come to you,” said Anholt.

“I think our guys did a good job at just handling the pressure early and it led to them taking some penalties because they were a little more amped up than us.”

Adair walked in and snapped the puck past Carson Bjarnason to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead 1:56 into the game.

Wojtech Port and Miguel Marques assisted on the goal.

Leo Braillard then skated in past a defencemen and slipped the puck under Bjarnason at the 8:22 mark of the first period to give the Canes a 2-0 lead.

Marques and Noah Chadwick notched the assists.

Brandon’s Nolan Flamand then cut the Canes lead to 2-1 6:35 into the second period on the powerplay  from Quinn Mantei and Jordan Gavin.

Miguel Marques scored an empty net goal with a 1:40 to go to give Lethbridge a 3-1 lead and sealed the victory.

Logan McCutcheon got the assist on Marques marker.

Brandon outshot Lethbridge 38-24 in the game.

The Canes will look for a sweep in Game 4, which goes tonight at 6 p.m.

“We don’t have any pressure on us,” said Anholt.

“We’ll play our game and we’ll play our game to our hardest ability.”