Broncos winless in opening weekend
The Swift Current Broncos opened the 2018-19 Western Hockey League season with two losses to the Saskatoon Blades as they struggled to create offense against their East Division rival.
Max Gerlach scored twice to ruin the Broncos’ home opener as the Blades won 2-1 on Friday.
After a scoreless first period, the two teams combined for goals 21 seconds apart. Overage forward Kaden Elder collected a loose puck midway through the second period and found the back of the net. Gerlach quickly replied with a breakaway goal to tie the game after 40 minutes.
Gerlach knocked home a fortuitous bounce in the third period to clinch the win for the Blades.
Joel Hofer took the loss despite making 34 saves. Nolan Maier got the win with 15 saves on 16 shots.
“I thought we started off strong. Obviously with the tribute and everything the guys came out fast and we were hitting. That’s the game, we had some unlucky bounces, a lucky bounce go for them. That’s the name of the game though,” said Hofer.
The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,890 as the Broncos played a fourminute video tribute showcasing the 2017-18 season before raising the Eastern Conference and WHL Championship banners to the rafters.
“There was a lot of goose bumps and chills for sure,” said Hofer. “Obviously it was a pretty emotional ceremony. Looking back at it, it was amazing to be a part of. I was really glad to be a part of something that special.”
Hofer was a calming presence in the crease on Friday.
“I felt great. My team in front of me battled in front of me. They blocked a lot of shots and they made my job pretty easy,” said the 6’3’’ Winnipeg native.
Hofer was the backup during his rookie season behind Logan Flodell and then Stuart Skinner. He finished the season with an impressive 2.61 goals against average and a 0.914 save percentage.
Hofer said he was approaching his first season as the starting goaltender on a gameby-game basis.
“For me I’m trying not to look too far ahead. I’ll go game-by-game and every night try and keep my team in it and give my team the best chance to win.”
He was drafted in the fourth round, 107th overall, in the 2018w NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
“It was awesome. I got there and all the older guys were very welcoming. They showed me the facility and kind of what it’s like to be a pro player. I had a lot of fun.”
Saturday, things were nowhere near as close between the East Division rivals as the host Blades scored five goals in the first period on their way to an 8-0 win over the Broncos.
Kirby Dach led the Blades with three goals and two assists, while Dawson Davidson and Gerlach each added a goal and two assists.
Bradly Goethals, Riley Mckay, and Jackson Caller also scored for the Blades, who received a 17-save shutout from Maier.
Hofer allowed all eight goals during a 31-save outing. The Broncos are on the road monton on Friday and Red home game will be October 5 this weekend for games in Ed- Deer on Saturday. Their next against the rival Regina Pats.