Hurricanes ready for tough second round series with Hitmen

By Lethbridge Herald on April 9, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Caden Price knocks the puck away from Kooper Gizowski during practice on Tuesday.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are prepared for the  tough challenge ahead as they open up the second round of the WHL playoffs tonight against the Calgary Hitmen.

“Really good,” said Bill Peters, Canes head coach, on preparation.

“It’s been a good week, the guys have dialled in, we’ve had some good practices and we feel good about where we’re at.”

The Canes struggled to a 2-5-0-1 record against the Hitmen in the regular season and Peters spoke some adjustments Lethbridge will have to make to be successful .

“We got be aware of how they play,” said Peters.

“Very competitive team, and don’t give up much (and) very good defensively. We can’t get frustrated with any of that and we’ve gotta play our game, and get it established early in the game and then stay with it.”

The Hitmen are expected to provide a stiff test for the Canes as Peters sees them as a club that is deep with good coaching, a team that is well-organized in their special teams and has strong goaltending

“It’ll be a stiff test and it’s one that we’re excited about,” said Peters.

Playing a game that is fast will be key to the Canes success.

“Making sure we play fast, make sure we manage the puck properly and make sure we’re hard in the O-zone,” said Peters.

The Canes are going to have to deal with a Hitmen team that has deep depth with the likes of Ben Kindel and Oliver Tulk.

“That’s what’s allowed the teams in our division to have success all year, (is) the depth that they have,” said Peters.

“At this time of year when you get down to the final eight, they’re gonna be good teams, they’re gonna be well-coached and they’re gonna be deep.”

Logan Wormald said playoffs is a whole new animal.

“We’ve had a good week of practice here and we’ve tweaked some things and like I said, we’ll come out ready,” said Wormald.

Wormald said it’s gonna be huge, when asked about the importance of a quick start with starting this series on the road.

“Obviously we’re going in there looking to at least split and if not get two,” said Wormald.

“That’s alright with us (with) starting away and I don’t think their atmosphere is gonna be a big problem to us.”

Wormald said they’re a hard working team.

“So coming out fast and playing our game, that’ll be massive for us,” said Wormald.

Caden Price feels it’s a clean slate for the Canes going into the series, despite the regular season struggles against the Hitmen.

“The regular season doesn’t matter,” said Price

“So it’s a fresh slate, 0-0, and that’s (the) mindset we’re heading in with. I think we gotta good chance. Both good teams and we’re looking forward to it.”

Price said they play a really good, structured game.

“They don’t give up much, they (are)  pretty structured in the d-zone, they block a lot of shots,” said Price.

Price talked about how him along with other Canes defenceman plan to defend against the Hitmen’s depth with the likes of Tulk and Kindel.

“I think just taking away  their time and space,” said Price.

“Obviously spending as little time in the d-zone is obviously the goal.”

Game 1 is tonight at 7 p.m. in Calgary, Game 2 goes Saturday at 6 p.m. before the series shifts back to Lethbridge for Game 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday next week with puck drop at 7 p.m.