The Lethbridge Hurricanes won two games over the weekend, and clinched a spot in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Hurricanes win 2 of 3 over weekend, clinch playoff berth

Mar 18, 2024 | 3:16 PM

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will officially compete in the 2024 Western Hockey League playoffs.

The Hurricanes came into the weekend looking to clinch a playoff spot, and to rebound after a 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday, March 13.

Friday, March 15

The first game of the weekend set saw the Hurricanes hosting the Red Deer Rebels at the ENMAX Centre on Friday, March 15. The Hurricanes took a 2-1 lead after the first period, and scored three unanswered goals in the third period from Miguel Marques, Brayden Edwards, and Dylan Sydor to clinch the victory.

Marques had a goal and an assist in the game while Joe Arntsen, Hayden Pakkala and Tristen Doyle each had two assists in the game. Harrison Meneghin stopped 25 of 27 shots to nab his 27th win of the season.

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Saturday, March 16

After their victory over the Rebels on home ice, the Hurricanes traveled north for a rematch against them in Red Deer on Saturday.

After a first period with no scoring, the Rebels struck first 7:22 into the second frame with a goal from Samuel Dranchak. Will Sharpe responded just over a minute later with his fourth goal of the season. The Rebels re-took the lead to finish the second up 2-1.

The score stayed at 2-1 for much of the game, until Marques scored in the final minutes to send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, Noah Chadwick scored the goal to clinch a playoff birth for the Hurricanes.

Brady Smith stopped 31 of 33 shots, while Chadwick was named the first star for his OT winner and an assist.

Sunday, March 17

Following the two-game set against Red Deer, the Hurricanes finished their busy weekend with a game against the Calgary Hitmen at the Saddledome on Sunday.

The Hitmen made an impact early, scoring just six seconds into the game, which was the second -fastest goal in WHL history to start a game. They led 2-0 after the first period, where they outshot Lethbridge 17-8.

In the second, Hurricanes’ forward Luke Cozens scored his first WHL goal on a one timer out front to make it 2-1. After a long spell of no scoring, the Hurricanes tied it up in the final minutes once again when Brayden Edwards buried his 30th goal of the season.

In the overtime frame, the Hurricanes could not complete the comeback this time, with Reese Hamilton netting his sixth of the season.

In the three games, the Hurricanes earned five out of six possible points, and currently occupy the sixth place spot in the Eastern Conference. They face off against the Medicine Hat Tigers for the final two games of the season.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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