Broncos Clipped by Thunderbirds
The Swift Current Broncos finally played a game on home ice after being on the road for five games on a B.C. swing that saw the club earn a 2-2-1-0 record. The Broncos went against the Seattle Thunderbirds and lost a close game by a score of 2-1.
Bronco forward Calvin Spencer took one to his former club as the ex-Thunderbird fired one home from the high slot to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead midway through the first period. Tyler Adams registered the lone assist on the goal.
Seattle responded as Ryan Gropp earned his first goal of the season with a wrist shot from the right wing that beat Bronco goaltender Taz Burman blocker side just a few minutes after Spencer’s goal for Swift Current.
The Broncos were all over the T-Birds throughout the second period, outshooting them by a wide 17-7 margin that included a pair of power play opportunities but netminder Rylan Toth was up to the challenge. Toth stopped all 17 shots he faced and the game remained tied into the third period.
Edmonton Oilers prospect Ethan Bear scored the go-ahead goal for Seattle early in the third period on a man advantage. His slap shot dribbled its way through and just crossed over the line and stood as the game winner.
With the goaltender pulled in the final moments, the Broncos created scoring chances but couldn’t get the tying goal and have now lost four in a row. Burman blocked 26 shots for the Broncos while Toth registered 29 saves for the Thunderbirds.
“We played on the perimeter a lot and didn’t get pucks to the net,” said forward Tyler Adams. “At the end, they capitalized when they needed to and it killed us at the end.”
Shots on goal were 30-28 in favour of Swift Current. The Broncos finished the night scoreless on the power play, going 0/5 while Seattle went 1/3.
The Broncos are back at it on Saturday night as they welcome the Spokane Chiefs for Chills and Thrills night at the Credit Union i-Plex. Puck drop is at 7:00pm CST.
