Sound defence propels Broncos in bounce back win
The Swift Current Broncos quickly forgot Friday night’s game and played a strong sound defensive game in a 3-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday night at the Innovation Credit Union I-Plex.
Wheat Kings’ forward Linden McCorrister netted his 16th goal of the year for Brandon 5:44 into the first period to place the Broncos in an early hole.
20-year-old forward Matteo Gennaro continued his point production as he potted in his 40th goal of the season via a two-on-one break. The St. Albert, AB native kept the puck on the odd man rush and ripped it by the blocker hand of Wheat Kings goaltender Logan Thompson to tie it 1-1.
Florida Panthers prospect Aleksi Heponiemi finished off a pretty passing play midway through the second period to give Swift Current a 2-1 lead. Glenn Gawdin and Tyler Steenbergen earned assists on the goal. The assist by Gawdin kept his point streak alive and it now presently sits at 25 straight games in which the captain has recorded at least a point.
The Broncos held a healthy 31-12 shots on goal margin and remained disciplined the rest of the way, allowing only seven shots on goal through the third period.
Beck Malenstyn sealed the victory for Swift Current as he tallied an empty netter to send the Broncos to a 3-1 win.
Stuart Skinner was effective in the Broncos crease, making 18 saves while Wheat Kings’ netminder Thompson amassed 33 stops.
Shots on goal were 36-19 in favour of Swift Current. Both teams combined for only four minutes in penalties as the Wheat Kings’ Marcus Sekundiak and the Broncos’ MacKenzie Wight each got a roughing minor.
Swift Current improves its record to 46-14-4-2 and remains in second place, trailing the Moose Jaw Warriors by only a single point.
The Broncos wrap up their three-game home stand on Wednesday, March 7th vs. the Saskatoon Blades. Puck drop is slated for 7:00pm CT.
