Broncos earn overtime points on western swing
The Swift Current Broncos earned only two points in the first four games of their B.C. Division road trip last week. They forced overtime in a pair of games but lost in three-on-three and in a shootout.
Tuesday, the Broncos were shutout in the opening game of their road trip in a 4-0 loss to the host Kamloops Blazers.
Rookie Rayce Ramsay stopped all 23 shots he faced for his first Western Hockey League win and shutout.
Reece Klassen took the loss despite making 41 saves for the Broncos, who lost for a fourth consecutive outing.
Orrin Centazzo scored twice, while Martin Lang and Josh Pillar also scored for the Blazers.
The Broncos finished zero-for-three on the power play, while the Blazers connected once on five man-advantages.
Wednesday, the Broncos collected their first point of the road trip in a 3-2 overtime loss to the host Kelowna Rockets.
Nolan Foote scored 1:05 into the extra period to earn the extra point for the host team.
The Broncos had led and trailed during regulation. They opened the scoring with a Ben King goal for a 1-0 lead after one period. Foote and Pavel Novak scored in the second period for a 2-1 Rockets lead.
Brecon Wood scored for the Broncos in the third period to force overtime.
Isaac Poulter took the overtime loss with 33 saves to fall to 2-2-1-1. Cole Schwebius earned the win with 22 saves.
The Broncos finished with a goal on three power play opportunities, while the Rockets connected once on four man-advantages.
Friday, the Broncos were shutout for the third time this season in a 4-0 loss to the Victoria Royals.
Brock Gould stopped all 23 shots he faced to earn the shutout. Poulter made 36 saves on 40 shots in a losing cause.
The Broncos were unable to score on five power play opportunities, while the Royals connected once on five man-advantages.
Saturday, the Broncos were unable to secure the first win on the road trip when they lost 4-3 to the host Vancouver Giants in an 18-player shootout.
Sergei Alkhimov scored shootout winner for the
Giants. Ethan Regnier and Connor Horning scored for the Broncos in the shootout, but Trent Miner stopped seven of nine Broncos.
Klassen stopped six of nine Giants in the shootout in front of 3,934 fans at the Langley Events Centre.
King, Kasper Puttio, and Regnier all scored of the Broncos as they led 1-0 and trailed 2-1 and 3-2.
Bowen Byram, Cole Shepard, and Tristen Nielsen tallied for the Giants.
Klassen took the loss with 36 saves over 65 minutes. Miner earned the win with 23 saves.
The Broncos are back at home on Saturday to host the Brandon Wheat Kings in their only game this week.
2019 first round pick Mathew Ward made his WHL debut in his hometown with the Broncos. Ward has 16 points in eight games with the West Van Academy Warriors in the Canadian Midget Prep League this season. 2019 third round pick Josh Davies made his WHL debut on Friday in Victoria. Overage forward Hayden Ostir made his Bronco debut in Victoria and collected his first point with an assist on the final goal in Vancouver on Saturday.
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