Canes advance to Eastern Conference final

By Lethbridge Herald on April 23, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference Final after beating the Calgary Hitmen 3-1 in Game 7 of the second round of the WHL playoffs on Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

“You know, two really even teams and it showed all series (in) making it go the whole distance ,” said Matt Anholt, Canes Associate head coach.

“I think our older guys led the way as usual but just a really gutsy effort by a lot of individuals (and) real proud of guys.”

Jackson Unger kept the Canes in the lead with 19 saves and held the  Hitmen at bay on a four-minute powerplay by them in the third period.

“Jackson was our MVP of the series,” said Anholt.

“I’d probably say just outstanding. Obviously a couple  rocky games in the middle of the series but the way that he showed up in Game 6 and 7, it was exceptional.”

Brayden Edwards opened the scoring in Game 7 when he whacked in  the loose puck 3:22 into the game from Luke Cozens and Caden Price.

The Hitmen’s David Adaszynski’s jammed the puck passed Unger 12:48 into the first period to tie the game.

Ben Kindel and Oliver Tulk assisted on Adaszynski’s fourth of the playoffs.

Logan Wormald then finished off a 2-on-1 with Edwards to give the Canes a 2-1 lead 17: 32 into the first.

Logan McCutcheon, who started the scoring play with an outlook pass, got the other assist on  Wormald’s  goal.

Cozens gave the Canes a  3-1 lead  3: 3 3 in to the third when he cut in and put a backhand passed Hitmen goalie Anders Miller.

Edwards got the assist.

Calgary outshot Lethbridge 35-25 in the game.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Canes and the Medicine Hat Tigers goes Friday night at 7 p.m. at Co-op Place.