A preview of the first-round playoff series between the Swift Current Broncos and Lethbridge Hurricanes first-round playoff series.
The two-vs-seven matchup in the Eastern Conference will feature the Swift Current Broncos facing off against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. These two division rivals last met in the playoffs in 2018, when the Broncos beat the Hurricanes 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Final. Overall, this was a balanced series, with each team picking up four wins, with Swift Current winning three of the last four matchups.
The Broncos come into this series as the favourites after capturing the Central Division crown. This team bulked up at the trade deadline, bringing in NHL-drafted prospects Conor Geekie and Jakub Dvorak to an already strong lineup. If their stars can step up offensively, they should have no issues in this series.
As for the Hurricanes, they need their power play to deliver in this series. They went 10/27 against Swift Current in the regular season, which played a massive role in why they were able to split the season series. Add in a lights-out performance from Harrison Meneghin, and Lethbridge could push the Broncos out of this year's postseason.
Prediction: Swift Current in 5
Playoff Schedule:
Game 1: Friday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Swift Current
Game 2: Saturday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Swift Current
Game 3: Tuesday, April 2, 7:00 p.m. MT @ Lethbridge
Game 4: Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m. MT @ Lethbridge
* Game 5: Friday, April 5, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Swift Current
* Game 6: Sunday, April 7, 6:00 p.m. MT @ Lethbridge
* Game 7: Tuesday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. CT @ Swift Current
Season Series:
Swift Current Broncos: 4-4-0-0
Lethbridge Hurricanes: 4-3-1-0
Lethbridge 1 @ Swift Current 4 (Feb 14, 2024) Final
Lethbridge 0 @ Swift Current 6 (Jan 31, 2024) Final
Swift Current 3 @ Lethbridge 6 (Jan 3, 2024) Final
Swift Current 7 @ Lethbridge 6 (Dec 27, 2023) Final OT
Lethbridge 1 @ Swift Current 3 (Dec 9, 2023) Final
Swift Current 3 @ Lethbridge 5 (Dec 8, 2023) Final
Lethbridge 5 @ Swift Current 2 (Sep 23, 2023) Final
Swift Current 1 @ Lethbridge 3 (Sep 22, 2023) Final
Leading Scorers During Season Series:
Swift Current Broncos:
1) Connor Hvidston- 6 GP, 6 G, 4 A, 10 P
2) Josh Filmon- 6 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 P
3) Clarke Caswell- 8 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 P
4) Luke Mistelbacher- 8 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 P
5) Mathew Ward- 4 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 P
Lethbridge Hurricanes:
1) Brayden Edwards- 8 GP, 6 G, 5 A, 11 P
2) Miguel Marques- 8 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 P
3)Logan Wormald- 8 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 P
4) Noah Chadwick- 6 GP, 0 G, 8 A, 8 P
5) Trae Wilke- 8 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 P
Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
