Broncos clinch playoff spot
The Swift Current Broncos won all three of their games last week to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 34-20-4-6 record. The Broncos still appear destined for an East Division playoff series against the Moose Jaw Warriors with six games remaining in the regular season.
Tuesday, the Broncos created some breathing room in the East Division playoff race with a 5-2 win over the Brandon What Kings.
Ryley Lindgren notched his first career hat trick to help the Broncos win their second straight game during their fourth game in five days. Glenn Gawdin and Kaden Elder also counted for the Broncos, while former Bronco Kade Jensen and Tyler Coulter replied for the slumping Wheat Kings.
Jordan Papirny got the win with 25 saves against his former team to improve to 19-18-1-2. Logan Thompson made 27 saves on 32 shots for Brandon.
Saturday, Tyler Steenbergen’s march towards the 50goal plateau now includes an overtime winner against his hometown team. The Sylvan Lake native notched his 46th goal of the season only 52 seconds into the extra period to lift the Broncos to a 2-1 win over the host Red Deer Rebels.
The Broncos had forced overtime with a late goal from Aleksi Heponiemi with 2:42 remaining in regulation. Dawson Martin had scored a power play goal for the Rebels in the second period.
Taz Burman made 24 saves on 25 shots to defeat his former team. Riley Lamb took the loss despite making 39 saves.
Sunday, the Broncos got 34 saves from Papirny and goals from Gawdin, Elder, Conner Chaulk, and Heponiemi in a 4-3 win over the host Edmonton Oil Kings. Heponiemi scored his 26th goal of the season, on the power play early in the third period, for the eventual game winner.
Davis Murray, Trey Fixwolansky, and Graham Miller replied for the Oil Kings. Josh Dechaine took the loss with 25 saves on 29 shots.
The win moved the Broncos 10 points ahead of Brandon for third in the East Division, 12 points behind Moose Jaw for second.
The Broncos will play the Saskatoon Blades twice this weekend, on the road Friday and in Swift Current Saturday. The Broncos hold a 4-2 record against the Blades heading into the final two games of the season series. Steenbergen and Heponiemi each have 10 points for the Broncos in the season series, including six goals for Steenbergen and nine assists for Heponiemi.
The Broncos will also visit the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday and the Regina Pats on Wednesday as they head into the final weekend of the regular season.