Broncos struggle as playoff chase intensifies
The Swift Current Broncos lost all three games last week as they were unable to improve their playoff chances in the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference.
Wednesday, the Broncos lost 5-3 to the host Saskatoon Blades. The Broncos fell behind 3-0 before twice cutting the deficit to one goal.
Josh Filmon scored twice as he netted his 42nd and 43rd goals of the season. Clarke Caswell also scored for the Broncos.
Josh Pillar scored twice for the Blades, while Jayden Wiens, Tanner Molendyk, and Brandon Lisoway, into an empty net, replied for the Blades.
Reid Dyck made 23 saves on 27 shots. Ethan Chadwick made 36 saves for the Blades, who were unbeaten in 11 games after the win.
Friday, the Broncos let a three-goal lead slip away in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Warriors.
The Broncos opened the scoring 7:43 into regulation when Mathew Ward notched his 23rd goal of the season. His initial breakaway attempt missed the mark, but he quickly converted
a perfect centering feed from Drew Englot. Englot doubled the lead with 3:03 remaining in the opening frame as he batted home a puck in the crease for his sixth goal. Clark Caswell added to the lead 22 seconds later on a threeon-two pass from Connor Hvidston that he tapped into a wide open net.
The script was flipped in the second period when the Warriors struck for three goals to tie the game. Matthew Gallant scored first and then Josh Hoekstra scored while shorthanded. Atley Calvert scored 1:02 later to
tie the game.
Dyck took the loss with 25 saves before stopping nine of 12 Warriors in the shootout.
Jackson Unger made 40 saves over 65 minutes before allowing only two goals on 12 attempts in the shootout.
Hoekstra ended the shootout on the 24th attempt.
The Broncos were set to head to Moose Jaw for a rematch on Saturday until poor road conditions pushed the game back to Sunday when the Broncos lost 7-3. They allowed the opening three
goals but got a goal late in the first period from Mathew Ward to cut into the deficit.
Moose Jaw restored the three-goal lead early in the middle stanza, but the Broncos responded with goals from Sam Mcginley and Brady Birnie to make it a one-goal game.
The Warriors ended any comeback hopes with the final three goals.
Dyck took the loss with six saves on 11 shots. Joey Rocha stopped 11 of 13 shots over the final 29:53.
Denton Mateychuk led the Warriors with two goals and two assists.
Logan Dowhaniuk, Tate Schofer, Jagger Firkus, Brayden Yager, and Ryder Korczak all scored for the Warriors.
The Broncos finished the weekend with 60 points, tied with Calgary and Brandon for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Broncos will visit the Red Deer Rebels for two games this weekend with five games remaining in the regular season.
They will also host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday in their second last home game of the regular season.