2025 WHL Playoffs Preview: 4) Lethbridge Hurricanes Versus 5) Brandon Wheat Kings
Janise Michel // Lethbridge HurricanesThe four-versus-five matchup in round one is, more often than not, the most difficult one to predict. Two teams that are evenly matched, and it usually comes down to which team heats up at the right time. The Brandon Wheat Kings make their way out to Lethbridge to face the Hurricanes for their first battle of the post-season.
Lethbridge, at one point, was the top team in the Eastern conference. Although they've fallen off slightly since then, they are not a team to be trifled with. The Hurricanes had a massive trade deadline, acquiring Brayden Yager and Jackson Unger from the Moose Jaw Warriors in one fell swoop. In 33 games with Lethbridge, Yager put up a whopping 52 points. With a 6-2-1-1 record to close out the regular season, the Hurricanes are rolling into the playoffs with a chip on their shoulder.
Brandon has been one of the unluckiest teams in the WHL as far as the injury bug is concerned, often playing with a short bench. However, the return of all their pieces including top 2025 NHL draft prospect Roger McQueen has proven invaluable to the Wheat Kings. McQueen put up nine points in nine games after missing nearly five months with injury, and is looking forward to proving himself of a bigger stage.
This series also hosts an intriguing goaltending matchup, as Lethbridge's Jackson Unger battles Brandon's Carson Bjarnason. Bjarnason, while he didn't play, attended the 2025 World Junior Championships and Unger is a WHL champion as of 2024. Both netminders are solid in their own right, and it will take a considerable force to break either one.
The Wheat Kings, with a returning McQueen as well as the acquisition of Jordan Gavin pose a considerable threat to the Hurricanes, but the championship pedigree of Yager and Unger along with deadline get Caden Price will provide a similar amount of star power.
Prediction: Lethbridge in 7
Season Series: Lethbridge 2-1
Scoring Leaders:
Lethbridge:
Brayden Yager 25-57-82
Brayden Edwards 31-46-77
Logan Wormald 30-40-70
Noah Chadwick 13-40-53
Leo Braillard 26-20-46
Brandon:
Nolan Flamand 23-45-68
Marcus Nguyen 36-29-65
Jordan Gavin 21-36-57
Luke Shipley 20-37-57
Matteo Michels 20-35-55
Schedule:
Game 1: @ Lethbridge, Friday, March 28, 7:00 MT
Game 2: @ Lethbridge, Saturday, March 29, 6:00 MT
Game 3: @ Brandon, Tuesday, April 1, 6:00 MT
Game 4: @ Brandon, Wednesday, April 2 6:00 MT
*Game 5: @ Lethbridge, Friday, April 4, 7:00 MT
*Game 6: @ Brandon, Sunday, April 6, 3:00 MT
*Game 7: @ Lethbridge, Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 MT
*- if necessary
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