Broncos hope to continue preseason success
The Swift Current Broncos won twice over the Lethbridge Hurricanes to conclude the Western Hockey League preseason with a 5-0-0-1 record.
The 2019-20 regular season gets underway on Saturday when the Broncos host the Calgary Hitmen in their return to the Central Division.
“It was nice to get back on the ice with training camp. You get to see the new faces and meet the new guys. I think everybody is starting to click now that we got the games in. It’s nice winning and it will be good to get going in the regular season,” said returning defenseman Garrett Sambrook.
The Broncos added a fourth win of the preseason with a 4-3 overtime win in Lethbridge on Friday. Ethan O’rourke was the overtime hero with the game-winning goal 2:07 into the extra frame.
Carter Chorney, Zachary Cox, and Tyler Smithies also scored for the Broncos. Defenseman Alex Moar assisted on the Broncos’ final three goals. Dino Kambeitz scored twice for the Hurricanes, while Rylan Swift Current Broncos defenseman Connor Horning (left) was threatening the crease of Carl Tetachuk during a 2-1 exhibition win.
Thiessen added a single.
Jordan Fairlie earned the win with 38 saves on 41 shots. Bryan Thomson made 26 saves in a losing cause for the Hurricanes.
Saturday, the Broncos wrapped up the preseason with a 2-1 win as Isaac Poulter made 37 saves.
Joona Kiviniemi and Carter Chorney scored for the Broncos before Noah Boyko replied for the Hurricanes.
The Broncos finished the preseason without a regulation loss.
“It’s just the preseason, so you can’t sit on it too much. It’s nice knowing that with this squad we can get the wins. It will be a nice flame under us going into the regular season,” said Sambrook.
Sambrook appeared in 56 games last season after being acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings.
“I’ve been told I’ve got to keep things simple in the back end. I just have to lead by example, sitting in front of shots and making that simple breakout pass, and just giving guys a little heads up when you can on the bench between shifts. I just have to play my game and everything will be fine.”
The Broncos are now only days away from their season opener against the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday.
“We weren’t very happy with how last year went. We’ve got these couple wins and everybody is starting to get together now. We’re excited and can’t wait for it,” concluded Sambrook.