Broncos had tough Memorial Cup start
“I think for a 60 minute hockey game we need to be a lot better,” said Beck Malenstyn. “Like you said, Stuart was phenomenal, our best player by far. There’s a lot of things we’ve got to tighten up right now. The last two games haven’t been us as a hockey team. I think we know that in that room. There’s a lot of things we can do better. We know we can do better. We are looking forward to being able to turn the page here and have another whack at this thing and put a good effort forward for 60 minutes. I think right now we are not worried about winning and losing, it’s putting a full 60-minute effort out there and let the chips fall where they will. I think we are going to be pretty happy with the results if we do that.”
The Broncos had only four goals in two games, while allowing 95 shots on goal on the other end.
“I think there’s definitely opportunities that have been left on the table to put the puck in the net for sure,” said Malenstyn. “We have to draw some positives that when we do those kind of things we are creating chances. To touch on that, it’s been those moments, throughout a 60-minute hockey game we might be putting 25 minutes together that are good pieces of hockey, but there not consistent. I think for us it’s the details, from a defensive zone draw to an offensive zone draw to our systems in the neutral zone. There’s lots of little things we have to tighten up.”
The loss of Steenbergen certainly did not help the Broncos’ cause while playing against the QMJHL and OHL champions.
“I mean we’re used to it. Gawds [Glenn Gawdin] went down in the playoffs. Guys have stepped up. For the most part guys did their jobs tonight, but it was just missed assignments just like last night,” said Sissons after the game two loss.
“Tyler is a special player,” said Viveiros. “He brings speed, he’s smart, he’s effective out there. He puts every defenseman, other team’s defensemen on their heels and makes good plays with the puck. He’s a kid that we sorely miss, but there’s nothing we can do about it. Again, an opportunity for other players to step up and fill that role, not just one guy, but collectively as a group.”
The Broncos were set to conclude the round robin on Wednesday against the host Regina Pats, needing a win to force their way into the tie-breaker on Thursday. The semi-final will be Friday and the championship game will be Sunday.
Visit swbooster.com for full Swift Current Broncos coverage at the Memorial Cup in Regina.