Broncos shock Raiders with shootout win
The Swift Current Broncos produced a shocking 3-2 shootout win to end the Prince Albert Raiders 19-game winning streak on Tuesday.
The Broncos entered the game 42 points behind the Raiders in the standings before heroics from Joel Hofer and Ethan Regnier allowed them to defeat the top team in the Canadian Hockey League.
Hofer made 52 saves and stopped all three shooters in the shootout, while Regnier tied the game late and then slid a puck under Ian Scott for the only goal of the shootout.
The Broncos players were also dealing with the loss of two teammates after Max Patterson and Noah King were both dealt to the Western Conference in separate deals on Monday and Tuesday.
“Obviously with the trades we made those were two big guys for our organization and a lot of good friends with the team it was obviously emotional for everybody,” said Hofer. “I am glad we could pull out a win.”
The Broncos got out to a quick start with a power play goal 7:01 into regulation when Tanner Nagel tipped home an Andrew Fyten pass for his fourth goal of the season.
The Raiders responded 2:58 later when Brett Leason one-timed his WHL leading 28th goal of the season for a 1-1 tie after one period.
The Broncos were outshot 17-6 in the second period but held the Raiders off the scoreboard.
The Raiders took their first lead 11:05 into the third period when Brayden Pachal tapped home a rebound for his seventh goal of the season.
Regnier tied the game with 1:44 left when his shot from just inside the blue line deflected off a defenseman and beat Ian Scott under the arm.
“That was huge,” said Hofer. “The boys never gave up and that’s the biggest thing. If we would have given up that probably wouldn’t have done anything. We would have just thrown in the towel and we would have been done. Kudos to them for giving it their hardest and coming out with the win.”
Hofer was coming off a tough outing on Saturday when he allowed a couple goals in the third period that he would have liked to have had back against Brandon.
“The boys battled hard last game. For me not to come up with those saves it’s tough. I told the boys after the game that I need to make those saves. I am glad I could bounce back and got the team the win.”
“Obviously they’re a great team. Good for them for doing what they’re doing. If we can beat that team I’m sure we are going to stand a chance with any other team. I think the biggest thing for us is to have the right mentality going into every game, that we do stand a chance with those teams. All of us have to have a full 60 minutes. If we put that together I think we will come out with a win.”
Friday, the Broncos trailed for less than 30 seconds, but missed an opportunity for a second straight win in Calgary on Friday. Josh Prokop scored with 23 seconds left on the clock to give the Calgary Hitmen their only lead in a 3-2 win over the visiting Broncos.
The game was scoreless for over 34 minutes until Ethan O’rourke scored his first goal as a Bronco. Calgary replied 1:22 later when Riley Stotts scored against his former team.
The Broncos took another lead 8:01 into the third period when Joona Kiviniemi scored an unassisted goal, his sixth of the season. The Hitmen replied only 42 seconds with an Egor Zamula goal to tie the contest 2-2.
Rookie Isaac Poulter made 42 saves in the loss.
Saturday, the Red Deer Rebels’ top line of Brandon Hagel, Cameron Hausinger, and Brett Davis combined for five goals to defeat the Broncos 6-2.
Alec Zawatsky scored on the power play and Matthew Culling scored in the third period for the Broncos.
The Broncos have two games remaining prior to the holiday break and both will come against the WHL leading Raiders this weekend. The Broncos will host the Raiders on Friday and then return the visit on Saturday. The Broncos have a home win and a road loss against the Raiders with six games remaining in the season series.
Broncos prospects Finlay Williams and Jack O’brien will represent British Columbia at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer from February 16-22. Williams (North Vancouver) was the Broncos third round pick in 2018, while O’brien (Surrey), a 5’10” defenseman, is a list player who plays for the Delta Hockey Academy Elite.
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