The Swift Current Broncos took down the Lethbridge Hurricanes 3-0 in the first game of their Western Hockey League Playoff series. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Hurricanes fall to Broncos 3-0 in game one of WHL Playoffs

Mar 30, 2024 | 9:49 AM

SWIFT CURRENT, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes were bested by the Swift Current Broncos in game one of the Western Hockey League Playoffs.

The Hurricanes traveled to Swift Current for a rematch of the 2018 first round, where the Broncos won in six games. The two teams each had multiple representatives on the WHL Central Division All-Star Teams.

In the first period, the Broncos controlled much of the game, besting the Hurricanes in shots 13-5. At the 8:25 mark of the frame, Caleb Wyrostok got the scoring started with a wrist shot from the faceoff circle that beat Harrison Meneghin. Ryan McCleary and Brady Birnie got the assists on the goal.

Later in the period, following a high-sticking minor to Hurricanes captain Joe Arntsen, the Broncos made it 2-0 on the ensuing powerplay with a goal from Conor Geekie.

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The second period provided no more tallies on the scoresheet, and had the Hurricanes outshoot the Broncos 9-5.

In the third, the two teams continued peppering shots on the opposing netminders, and there multiple man advantages throughout. The Hurricanes had back to back powerplays in the frame but could not put a puck past a stellar Reid Dyck, who stopped all 19 shots he faced in the third.

Broncos leading regular season scorer Clarke Caswell buried the final goal of the game 6:01 into the third from Luke Mistelbacher to take game one for the Broncos on home ice.

Dyck was named the game’s first star for his 33 save performance. Wyrostok and Caswell were named the second and third stars, respectively.

For the Hurricanes, their powerplay struggled as they went 0-4, and Harrison Meneghin made 25 saves.

The two teams will face off again on Saturday, March 30 for game two in Swift Current. The series will then move to Lethbridge for games three and four at the ENMAX Centre.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

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by Christian Oldale