Heponiemi Records Three Assists, Broncos Comeback to Win 4-3 over Raiders
The Swift Current Broncos entertained the Prince Albert Raiders in an East Division battle on Saturday night at the Credit Union i-Plex and picked up its fifth win of the season with a 4-3 nod.
The Broncos got off to a tremendous start as Arthur Miller scored 2:42 into the game to make it 1-0 Broncos. The Broncos recorded 20 shots on goal compared to only six for the Raiders in the opening frame but the game was tied 1-1 after Raiders’ captain Tim Vanstone scored to tie it up.
Broncos’ defenceman and Ottawa Senators prospect Max Lajoie netted his first goal of the campaign with a wrist shot from the point that had seeing eyes to put the Broncos up 2-1. Heponiemi and Steenbergen collected the assists on the goal.
Despite being heavily outshot, the Raiders stayed in the contest as Luke Coleman scored less than two minutes later to once again tie the game at 2-2.
It was quite a battle to begin the third period with both teams looking for the go-ahead goal. Broncos forward Tyler Adams and the Raiders’ Dylan Williamson got into a spirited scrap which resulted in several penalties for both clubs.
Moments later, Austin Glover put the Raiders ahead 4:15 into the third period with a power play marker but the Broncos were quick to answer the door.
Stotts scored his third goal in two nights as he tucked one short side by the glove hand of goaltender Ian Scott on a Bronco power play to tie it up at three goals apiece.
Heponiemi continued to display his outstanding on-ice vision as he completed a nice cross ice pass to a wide open Calvin Spencer who one timed a bullet top cheddar to put Swift Current up 4-3 with a little over three minutes remaining in regulation.
Broncos Tyler Steenbergen took a late slashing penalty and with the Raider goal empty, they faced a 6-on-4 situation for the final 1:35. The Broncos escaped unscathed and earned the 4-3 victory.
“Teammates are moving the puck to me well,” said Broncos rookie forward Riley Stotts. “It’s a fast game and I’m getting adjusted to it. There are big battles out there and you just got to battle through all the pucks that are coming loose and not let guys get by you.”
Swift Current finished the night 1/3 on the power play while Prince Albert went 1/6. Shots on goal favoured the Broncos 39-32.
The Broncos will host the Kootenay ICE for Pink In The Rink to support Breast Cancer Awareness on Monday afternoon at 2:00pm. The game will be sponsored by Carpet One.
