Shorthanded Broncos lose twice on home ice
Injuries caught up to the Swift Current Broncos last week as they lost a pair of home games in the midst of a six-game home stand.
Wednesday, the Broncos allowed the opening four goals in a 5-1 loss to the visiting Wenatchee Wild.
Tyson Laventure had the only goal in the third period.
Evan Friesen led the Wild with two goals, while Conor Geekie, Ty Fraser, and Briley Wood also scored.
Reid Dyck took the loss with 27 saves on 31 shots. Daniel Hauser made 21 saves for the Wild.
Friday, the Broncos were missing seven players in a 5-4 loss to the visiting Saskatoon Blades.
The Broncos scored on two of their first three shots to take a 2-0 lead 3:29 into regulation with goals from Laventure and Luke Mistelbacher.
The Blades scored the next four goals, two on the power play, one while shorthanded, and another on a delayed penalty.
Brady Birnie scored midway through the third period to make it a one-goal game, but Egor Sidorov replied for the Blades with his 15th goal to restore the lead. Rylan Gould scored in the dying seconds for the Broncos to close the scoring.
Brandon Lisowsky
led the Blades with two goals, while Easton Armstrong and Rowan Calvert also scored.
Dyck took the loss with 28 saves on 33 shots. Austin Elliot made 16 saves for the Blades.
The Broncos fell to 9-9-1-0, while the Blades improved their record to 13-5-0-0.
The Broncos will host the Regina Pats on Friday. The Broncos won
the only previous meeting 2-1 on Oct. 22 in Swift Current.
They will also visit the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday.
Bronco Bits: Rookie defenseman Peyton Kettles got his first taste of international duty with Canada Red at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The 6’4’’ Winnipeg product had one assist in seven games as his team
placed fifth in Charlottetown, PEI. Kettles has two assists and 15 penalty minutes in 15 games with the Broncos this season. Laventure’s goal
on Friday extended the overage forward’s point streak to 12 games with seven goals and 10 assists over that stretch.
Shaunavon’s Mason
Fauser and Swift Current’s Parker Rondeau both made their WHL debuts during Friday’s game against Saskatoon.