Fadden, Lethbridge to Face Spokane for Championship

After disposing of the Calgary Hitmen rather easily in the minimum of four games, the wait is over for Lightning prospect Mitch Fadden and the Lethbridge Hurricanes for their next opponent.

The Western Conference's No.3 seeded Spokane Chiefs won Game 7 in Tri-City Tuesday night 4-1 to close out one of the closest series ever played. Five of the 7 games went to overtime, with 3 going to 2 overtimes. In Game 7, Dustin Tokarski (2008 eligible) stopped 31 shots and the Chiefs scored 3 times in the third period (one empty netter) for the win. Former Traverse City Lightning Colton Yellow Horn had the Americans' goal, and the WHL MVP candidate finished the playoffs with 10 goals and 21 points in 16 games.

On their way to the Western Conference championship, Spokane defeated Dane Crowley and No.6 Everett 4-0, No.2 Vancouver 4-2, and No.1 Tri-City 4-3.

Lethbridge topped No.6 Brandon 4-2, No.5 Kootenay 4-1, and No.1 Calgary 4-0.

The WHL championship series between the two No.3 seeds will begin Friday, May 2 in Spokane, with Games 3-5 played in Lethbridge before returning to Spokane for 6 and 7 if necessary.

The clubs played just once during the regular season, with the Hurricanes winning 2-1 in Lethbridge. Fadden was scoreless in the game.

Fadden is the only Lightning prospect left playing this season.