Lethbridge Hurricanes preparing for ECF showdown against the Swift Current Broncos

Count Hurricanes Head Coach Brent Kisio as one.

“We thought there was a good chance, yes,” Kisio responded to whether he envisioned playing Swift Current in the East final, “and it came to fruition.”

Kisio says Swift Current presents a big challenge, as they’re a great hockey team.

“They’ve been one of the best teams in our league all year long. We got our work cut out for us, but we’ve got a plan in play and we’ll try to execute it,” Kisio said.

Kisio coached Skinner and Estephan for two full seasons before the trade was made in January, and Nagel for one, so he admits there’s a comradery there.

“But, it’s the third round of the playoffs,” he continued. “When it gets to this point the friendships go out the window because it’s all about battling for your teammates and trying to find a way to win.”

In saying that, Kisio also added he’s happy for the success his former players have had in Swift Current.

“Our coaching staffs are pretty close too. They’re a team we’re rooting for when we’re not playing them but not anymore,” Kisio stated.

Hurricanes captain Jordy Bellerive says he’s excited about the series, even if it’s a bit of a weird matchup.

“I played with some of those guys for a while, but it’s going to be a competitive series so once you’re out there you forget that you were friends at some point,” Bellerive said.

One of those former teammates is Stuart Skinner, so what’s the book on him?

“I don’t know,” Bellerive said with a laugh.

“We learned a lot about him in practice, watching him play, and stuff like that. Hopefully, we’ll be able to have his number at some point.”

Hurricanes goaltender Logan Flodell came the other way in the trade, and he’s looking forward to playing against his former team.

“It’s always exciting playing your old team, especially in the playoffs because you don’t see that too often,” Flodell said.

Flodell says he doesn’t think it gets any bigger than this and admitted he wants to prove Swift Current wrong for having dealt him.
“There’s a bunch of us in the room that feel that way. All those guys in the room went through losing guys, and having new guys come in, and it’s brought us closer together.”

Flodell was also asked whether he envisioned this matchup happening.

“We had that one game against them [in the regular season], and it was a really good battle, but I never thought we were going to see them in playoffs,” he continued. “I guess that’s the way the hockey world works.”

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Championship will go on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in Swift Current.

The full schedule is below:

Game 1: Lethbridge at Swift Current – Friday, April 20 @ 7 p.m.
Game 2: Lethbridge at Swift Current – Saturday, April 21 @ 7 p.m.
Game 3: Swift Current at Lethbridge – Tuesday, April 24 @ 7 p.m.
Game 4: Swift Current at Lethbridge – Wednesday, April 25 @ 7 p.m.
Game 5 (if necessary): Lethbridge at Swift Current – Saturday, April 28 @ 7 p.m.
Game 6 (if necessary): Swift Current at Lethbridge – Monday, April 30 @ 7 p.m.
Game 7 (if necessary): Lethbridge at Swift Current – Tuesday, May 1 @ 7 p.m.

by Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Lethbridge Hurricanes preparing for ECF showdown against the Swift Current Broncos

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