Broncos manufacture first winning streak of the season

The Swift Current Broncos used home ice to secure their first winning streak of the 2023-24 Western Hockey League regular season last week.

Wednesday, the Broncos overcame a pair of deficits to defeat the visiting Prince Albert Raiders 3-2 for their second straight win. Reid Dyck made 32 saves and Mathew Ward had two points, including the game-winning goal in the third period.

The two teams combined for four goals for a 2-2 score after one period. Ryder Ritchie opened the scoring 3:27 into regulation with his eighth goal for the Raiders. The Broncos tied the contest minutes later when Connor Gabriel knocked home a puck that was wobbling on the goal line. Brayden Dube restored the lead for the Raiders when he got behind the Broncos and deked to the five-hole. Clarke Caswell tied the game minutes later with a one-timer, his fourth goal of the season.

After a scoreless middle stanza, the Broncos took their first lead early in the third period when Mathew Ward connected for a power play goal, his seventh goal of the season.

Dyck made 32 saves to improve to 4-2-0-0. Chase Coward made 21 saves for the Raiders against his hometown team to fall to 3-4-0-1.

Friday, the Broncos won a third straight game with a 6-4 victory over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds.

Mathew Ward, Rylan Gould, Caleb Wyrostok, and Caswell all finished with one goal and one assist. Ryan Mccleary and Brady Birnie also found the back of the net, while Dyck made 30 saves.

Scott Ratzlaff made 28 saves on 34 shots for Seattle. Eric Alarie and Kazden Mathies each scored twice for the visitors.

Saturday, the streak came to an end in a 4-1 loss to the host Prince Albert Raiders. Prince Albert put the game out of reach with three goals in the opening 15:13. Caswell scored for a fifth straight game and Tyson Laventure also tallied to close the scoring.

Dube, Niall Crocker,

Hayden Pakkala, and Ritchie scored for the Raiders.

Joey Rocha took the loss with 33 saves on 37 shots. Coward earned the win with 19 saves.

The Broncos finished the week with a 7-7-1-0 record.

The Broncos will face three U.S. Division teams this week, beginning

Friday when the Portland Winterhawks are in town. Portland feature Swift Current’s Hudson Darby and have recently been the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League.

The Broncos will also host the Everett Silvertips on Sunday at 4 p.m. and the Wenatchee Wild on Wednesday.

STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER Top right: Swift Current Broncos forward Mathew Ward (right) was behind the Prince Albert Raiders for a scoring opportunity on Chase Coward during a 3-2 win on Oct. 25. Bottom: Defenseman Ryan Mccleary (left) sent the Raiders’ Matej Kubiesa flying during his Swift Current Broncos home debut. The Broncos won two of three games last week. The Broncos will host the Portland Winterhawks on Friday and the Everett Silvertips on Sunday at 4 p.m.