Broncos take over Central Division lead with three wins
The Swift Current Broncos won three of four games last week to move within one win of a Central Division title in the Western Hockey League.
Tuesday, the Broncos took over top spot in the division with a road win when Conor Geekie was in on all four goals in a 4-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders.
Geekie scored his 38th and 39th goals of the season and helped set up goals from Peyton Kettles and Luke Mistelbacher.
Reid Dyck was outstanding in goal with 27 saves for his 12th straight win.
Friday, the Broncos took advantage of a shorthanded opponent for an 8-4 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers in front of another sellout crowd of 2,865 fans at the Innovationplex.
Mistelbacher finished with five points as the Broncos scored three power play goals and
one shorthanded to continue their domination of the rival Tigers. Tyson Galloway, Owen Pickering, Brady Birnie, Rylan Gould, Clarke Caswell, Ty Coupland, and Ryan Mccleary also scored.
Dyck made 31 saves to improve to 24-6-2-0 for the Broncos with his 13th straight win. Zach Zahara allowed four goals on 22 shots over 22:41 of work. Ethan Mccallum allowed four goals on 17 shots in relief.
Saturday, the Broncos had a chance to clinch the Central Division title, but lost 4-2 to the host Tigers.
Andrew Basha scored twice for the Tigers, including an empty net goal to seal the win. Hunter St. Martin and Hayden Harsanyi also scored for the home team.
Mathew Ward and Geekie replied for the Broncos. Dyck took the loss with 33 saves. Zahara made 28 saves for the Tigers.
Sunday, playing their third game in as many days, the Broncos defeated the host Edmonton Oil Kings 5-4. Geekie scored the game winner on the power play to close the scoring with his 41st goal of the season.
Gould scored twice, including a shorthanded goal, his 21st goal of the season. Coupland and Caswell also scored. The Broncos finished two-forfour on the power play. Joey Rocha earned the win with 28 saves.
The Broncos improved to 38-21-4-2 to sit three points ahead of the Medicine Hat Tigers for top spot in the Central Division.
The Broncos will conclude the regular season with two games this weekend against the Calgary Hitmen. They will host the Hitmen on Friday and then repay the visit to Calgary on Sunday.
Bronco Bits: Geekie extended his point streak to 14 games with 29 points along that stretch. Owen Pickering, Ryan Mccleary, and Brady Birnie all played in their 200th WHL game last week. The Broncos were heavily punished by the WHL for a post-game incident against the Brandon Wheat Kings on March 9. The Broncos were fined $1,000 for inadequate security and another $1,000 for actions of coach and players. Overage forward Caleb Wyrostok received a five-game suspension for his game misconduct as a repeat offender. The Broncos were also hit with a one game suspension for Dawson Gerwing for a one man fight in the final five minutes of Friday’s win over the Tigers.