Any thoughts of an Eastern Conference Final sweep blew away with the wind in Lethbridge tonight.

Brad Morrison scored a hat-trick leading the Hurricanes to a 5-1 win over Swift Current and cut the Broncos' series lead to 2-1.

"I thought in the second period we took a couple of very undisciplined penalties that put us in trouble and they capitalized on it," said Broncos Head Coach/Director of Player Personnel Manny Viveiros. "We thought we played a decent first period. Second period we're right there and 2-1 going into the third period we're fine, we're in a good spot... and then we just got undisciplined and they took it to us."



Morrison scored three and had an assist to extend his league leading playoff point total to 34. The Broncos had contained him fairly well in Swift Current and were not able to repeat that on the road.

"We can't give him time and space and we did," Viveiros said. "Their high end players we've got to take time and space away from those guys and do better checking them. They played well. At times we've played well, but as far as I'm concerned we haven't played a sixty minute game yet (in the series)."

Swift Current started strong and played a solid first period. They out-chanced Lethbridge in the period and had were able to create some momentum on the forecheck.

That seemed to stall with three penalties in the second period that led to power play goals from Morrison and Cozens.

"As the game wore on we got better and better and started playing the way we wanted to play," said Hurricanes Head Coach Brent Kisio. "For o-zone time it was probably the most in the series we've played. In all the games we've been right there. Tonight we had a little bit of extra effort and found a way to score some goals."


Andrew Fyten scored the lone Broncos goal of the game in the second period on a hard work effort off the cycle. That momentum was snuffed out by a goal just over a minute later from Morrison.

Swift Current was still in a solid position going into the third period down 2-1. They then had one of their flattest periods of the playoffs giving up a goal early to Cozens and getting out of their structure.

"It's not from the energy point of view," Viveiros said. "The kids are still working, but we didn't play with any structure. We were running all over the place and they just picked us apart. That's something you can't do at this time of year. We've got to make sure we play much better in our own end. It got away from us real quick."

Logan Flodell made 23 saves to get the win over his old team and move Lethbridge to 7-0 on home ice in the playoffs.

"It's good to get the first one out of the way for sure," Flodell said. "The guys played really well in front of me which helps... they had a few chances they're a very skilled team they're going to get those chances. That's my job to keep the puck out of our net. It helps when I've got the big D-men in front of me to help box them out. We played all around a good game."

Stuart Skinner made 29 saves on 33 shots as the Broncos were outshot for the third time in the series. The Hurricanes went 2 for 4 on their power play, while Swift Current was 0 for 2.

The Broncos aren't overreacting as they prepare for Game 4 tomorrow night with a 2-1 series lead.

"We're fine," Viveiros noted. "We lost the game tonight and we know why we did. Lethbridge was good and we made some mistakes. We'll clean those up and get ready to go again. We're not a team that dwells on things too long. You can't. You've got to move forward as quick as possible and look at the positives. We've been through two seven game series and this is probably going to go long also too. We're used to it."

The Broncos were without both captain Glenn Gawdin and veteran defenceman Artyom MInulin. They wound up juggling lines and defensive pairings as the game went on and they were not able to find momentum.

We've got the broadcast of Game 4 live on The Eagle 94.1 with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey tomorrow night at 6:30pm.

Game 5 is now slated for Saturday night in Swift Current.