Broncos lose preseason openers against Warriors
The Swift Current Broncos were unable to secure a win in two attempts to open the 2021-22 Western Hockey League preseason against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Friday, the Broncos were outshot 49-15 in a 6-1 loss to the Warriors. The Warriors connected on three of seven power play opportunities, while the Broncos failed to score on their lone man-advantage.
The Warriors opened the scoring with goals from Kade Runke and Cade Hayes 43 seconds apart. Owen Pickering responded for the Broncos midway through the first period with a slick backhand goal with assists from veterans Braeden Lewis and Mathew Ward.
The Warriors broke the game open in the middle stanza with power play goals from Runke, Nathan Pilling, and Robert Baco. Pilling added his second goal of the game in the third period to close the scoring.
Joey Rocha took the loss with 43 saves on 49 shots. Brett Mirwald earned the win with 14 saves for the Warriors, who improved to 2-0 in the preseason.
One day after the home loss, the visiting Broncos were defeated 5-2 after a failed comeback bid. The Broncos allowed the first three goals before fighting back with a pair of power play goals in the third period to make the game interesting. The Warriors quickly replied with a Brayden Yager insurance goal and a Calder Anderson empty net goal to seal the win.
Veterans Raphael Pelletier and Josh Filmon scored for the Broncos with assists from Ward, Aiden Bulych, Carter Stebbings, and Rayan Bettahar.
Tate Schofer, Maximus Wanner, and Baco also scored for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 in the preseason.
Jacob Herman took the loss with 32 saves on 36 shots for his hometown team. Carl Tetachuk picked up the win with 22 saves for the Warriors.
The Broncos will continue the preseason on Friday when they host the Medicine Hat Tigers at 7 p.m. They will rematch on Saturday back in Medicine Hat.