An exciting second-round playoff series between the Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes will be decided Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Not much separates these two teams as they head into Game 7. Hitmen defenceman Kalem Parker expects it to be another tough battle.
“Lethbridge has a lot of top-end talent and a lot of depth,” said the 20 year old.
“They play very structured, so it’s been a very good series with a lot of ups and downs for both teams, so Game 7 I won’t expect anything less than a really good game.”
What you play for
There have been a lot of twists and turns in this series and both teams have had to battle through adversity.
The Hurricanes won the first two games before the Hitmen stormed back to win the next three.
Lethbridge would win Game 6 handily to force a seventh and deciding game.
Head coach Paul McFarland says he looks forward to game sevens.
“As a coach or an athlete, it doesn’t get any better than these moments,” he said.
“You know the group that we have and the belief we have in each other, you know someone is going to step up and be the hero for us tomorrow night.”
Who will step up?
That player could very well be Ben Kindel. The 18-year-old forward has already played the role of hero in games four and five, scoring in overtime in both.
Kindel would love to do it again in Game 7 but says there are plenty of players on his team that could step up.
“I mean everyone has to step up and lots of guys have for our team in the playoffs and in this series. Obviously, a lot more guys can step up so it’s going to be exciting to see.”
More fans at the ‘Dome
One thing the Hitmen would love to see is a few more fans in the seats at the Saddledome.
So far, they’ve averaged just over 3,200 fans in the first three home games of the series.
Captain Carson Wetsch says big crowds pump up the players, and this series is a must-see.
“I don’t think (the fans) realize how exciting this hockey is,” said the 18-year-old forward.
“Every single game there’s stuff happening and it’s nonstop, like there’s no breaks. It’s just crazy hockey the whole time and I think everyone should come out and experience that.”
The winner of this series will go on to face the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Eastern Conference Final.
