I’m back after a quick trip into Alberta, which is where mallards go to die, isn’t it? . . . The Spokane Chiefs are in Alberta, too, after completely dominating the first two games of the WHL’s best-of-seven championship final. . . . The Hurricanes, however, went to something of a secret weapon prior to Tuesday night’s Game 3. . . . Former Lethbridge coach Bryan Maxwell, who now resides in Victoria, was in Lethbridge following the death of his father, Stan, and he chose to stick around. In fact, Maxwell was on the ice with the Hurricanes on Monday. . . . “Maxie’s a guy I’ve learned a lot from and who I’ve talked to regularly throughout the (season),” Hurricanes head coach Michael Dyck told the Lethbridge Herald. “We’re very thankful that he’s sticking around. He’s going to take the time to help us out, he obviously knows a lot about the game and he’s just here to give us some support.” . . . Maxwell has twice coached teams to Memorial Cup championships – the 1987 Medicine Hat Tigers and, yes, the 1991 Spokane Chiefs. . . .
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Meanwhile, in Game 3, F Tyler Johnson, who is a native of Spokane, scored at 6:20 of overtime to give the Chiefs a 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes in Lethbridge. . . . The Chiefs lead the series 3-0 and can wrap up their first championship since 1991 on Wednesday night. . . . Johnson’s goal, his fourth of the playoffs, came off a rebound during a wild scramble. . . . The Hurricanes led this one 1-0 from the 19:57 mark of the second period after F Dwight King scored, only to have the Chiefs tie it on C Chris Bruton’s goal at 17:56 of the third period. . . . Johnson was hit with a holding penalty with 18 seconds left in the third period but the Lethbridge power play came up dry. The closest the home side came to scoring was when F Mitch Fadden drilled a post. . . . Spokane G Dustin Tokarski turned aside 22 shots, two fewer than Lethbridge’s Juha Metsola. . . . Attendance was 4,950. . . . Spokane was 0-for-1 on the PP; Lethbridge was 0-for-3. . . . Lethbridge F Carter Bancks didn’t skate Monday but played in Game 3. He is believed to have a lower body injury of some sort. Either that, or an upper body injury. Or maybe it’s the flu. . . .
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JUST NOTES: Getting caught up after a few days away we discover that Vancouver Giants F Garet Hunt has signed with the Springfield Falcons, the Edmonton Oilers’ AHL affiliate. Hunt, who goes about 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, played out his WHL eligibility this season. He finished his career with 41 points and 542 penalty minutes in 193 regular-season games. Hunt led the WHL with 27 fighting majors this season. . . . Former Moose Jaw Warriors F Kelly Buchberger was the Falcons’ head coach this season, with former Kelown Rockets head coach Jeff Truitt as his assistant. There is speculation, however, that Buchberger will be promoted to the Oilers’ staff, perhaps at the expense of Rob Daum, another former WHL head coach who was on a one-year contract with the NHL club. . . . The Calgary Flames have signed Swedish F Mikael Backlund, who was the 24th selection in the NHL’s 2007 draft. Backlund, who was terrific at the 2008 world junior championship, could play in the WHL next season – Kelowna holds his rights – but may end up in the AHL. . . .
The Regina Leader-Post is reporting that GM Brent Parker is expected to return for a 14th season. He presently is involved in negotiations with IPSCO Place officials as the Pats’ lease on the Brandt Centre expires on May 31. . . . The Leader-Post’s Greg Harder writes: “Parker has made no secret of the fact that these lease negotiations could play a major role in a number of decisions, including his own future as well as the ownership of the franchise. It’s well known that there’s serious interest from a group that includes ex-Pats stars Mike Sillinger and Jamie Heward to purchase the team from Russ Parker. An ownership change isn’t imminent, although that could change if lease negotiations break down.” . . . RW Ian McKenzie of the Seattle Thunderbirds has signed a three-year free-agent deal with the NHL’s Nashville Predators. He had 40 points in 68 games this season. Seattle acquired McKenzie, who has used up his WHL eligibility, from the Moose Jaw Warriors early in 2006-07.
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