CHL Playoffs Game Night: 3/30

WHL FIRST ROUND - EASTERN CONFERENCE

Game 6: (6) Brandon Wheat Kings 0 @ (3) Lethbridge Hurricanes 4
Lethbridge wins Best of 7 series 4-2

C Mitch Fadden, LET:
Game: 0-1-1, E, 2 PIM (hooking)
Series: 6 GP, 2-6-8, -2, 4 PIM (plus 10 min misconduct)

Fadden and Lethbridge finally put Brandon away after letting the Wheaties back into the series 3-2. Lethbridge scored twice in the first period Sunday, then added two early third period goals to cement the series win and end their two-game losing streak. This is the first series win for Lethbridge since 1997. They’ve been 0-6 in first round match-ups since that year.

Fadden finished the series with 8 points, which is one better than the 7 he posted last year (2-5-7) in one playoff round (6 games) for the ‘Canes.

Because of No.2 Regina’s upset loss to Swift Current, Lethbridge is the second-highest seed remaining in the Eastern Conference. They will play Kootenay in the Conference Semi-Finals. Kootenay, the 5 seed, defeated Medicine Hat 4 games to 1. Lethbridge was 1-5 vs. Kootenay this year, with their one win being a 7-1 shellacking February 12. That series will open Friday. No.1 Calgary, who defeated Moose Jaw 4-2, will host Swift Current.

In the West, the top seeded Tri-City Americans will await the winner of Tuesday’s Game 7 between Seattle and Kelowna. Vancouver will play Spokane in the other series. All 3 top seeds in the Western Conference swept their first round series.