April 16th, 2008
For What It’s Worth: $87.78-The Lethbridge Hurricanes are the team to beat in the WHL’s Eastern Conference Finals.
Why stop now? For the first time since Jerry McGuire and Jamiroquai were hip, the Lethbridge Hurricanes are playing in the WHL’s Eastern Conference Finals. 1997 was a grand year for the franchise, as the ‘Canes won their only Dub Championship (other great things from ’97: Jewel-did she move back to Alaska or what? Dolly-why can’t I clone things yet? and Deep Blue-take that chess master!). Now, the “Boys from the ‘Bridge” are just four wins away from taking another stab at winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup (formerly the President’s Trophy). Only Calgary stands in Lethbridge’s way. And while the Hitmen are a very good team, there’s no reason why the ‘Canes shouldn’t be favoured in their best-of-7 series.
On paper, the Hitmen and Hurricanes are very close. Calgary led the Eastern Conference with 259 regular season goals; Lethbridge was third with 245. The Hitmen allowed just 166 lamp-lighters (1st in the East); the ‘Canes gave up 175 (2nd).
Special teams? In the post season, both teams have similar numbers. Lethbridge’s power play is successful 22.2% of the time; Calgary is at 25.0%. The ‘Canes have the slight edge on the penalty kill at 87.5%; the Hitmen are at 78.1%
Lethbridge has had a somewhat “easier” path to the East Finals, defeating Brandon in 6 games and Kootenay in 5. Calgary needed 6 games to take out both Moose Jaw and Swift Current.
Perhaps the Hitmen can look back at past playoff success. Kelly Kisio’s squad lost in the conference championship a year ago (to Medicine Hat). Also, Calgary has won both its previous post-season series versus the ‘Canes: in 5 games in 2004 (a tour de force performance by Ryan Getzlaf) and in 6 games in 2005 (only Justin Leclerc’s great goaltending kept it close).
One concern for Calgary might be in net. Incumbent Daniel Spence has a playoff goals against average of 2.98 and a save percentage at .886. Back-up Martin Jones replaced Spence in game 5 against Swift Current in the East Semifinals and then started the clincher one day later. Jones’ numbers are much better (1.80GAA, .924sv%, although in just 167 minutes). Goaltending controversy? Perhaps, or maybe it’s nice to have two options at this time of year.
All the stats are very close, so where’s the advantage? It’s the head-to-head series. The Hurricanes won 5 of 6 meetings between the two sides this past regular season. Plus, Michael Dyck’s crew loves playing at the Saddledome. The locals last lost on the NHL-sized sheet of ice in October of 2006, a span of 6 games.
Experience can only take a team so far, and really Lethbridge has gained plenty already in this run. This ‘Canes squad got their first taste of post-season success out muscling a physical Brandon side in the first round. Against Kootenay in round two, the locals shook off two third period blown leads on home ice to crush the Ice in Cranbrook. About a month ago the Hurricanes were a pretty green group. Now it’s a team with two series wins and hungry for more.
I’m not going to make a prediction, thanks to the Baceda Kiss of Death*. Look for a close hard-fought series. A little confidence is a scary thing, and the Hurricanes are no longer playoff newbies. All I know is, I’d like to put 1997 to rest even though Jacques Villeneuve would disagree.
*Check the FWIW archives
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