Broncos Rally for 4-3 Shootout Win Over Tigers
The Swift Current Broncos erased a two-goal third-period deficit before defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-3 in a shootout Friday night at Co-op Place.
Goaltender Archer Cooke turned aside 43 of 46 shots, while Brendan Rudolph and Ty Meunier each recorded a goal and an assist as the Broncos improved to 2-3-0-0 in preseason action.
Swift Current opened the scoring at 10:02 of the first period. Oliver Torkki found Carter Moen, who beat Tigers goaltender Cash Christie to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead.
Medicine Hat answered late in the period when Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll tied the game at 18:21, sending the teams into the first intermission even at one.
The Tigers took control in the second period. Cam Parr gave Medicine Hat its first lead just 1:38 into the frame before Josh Evaschesen added a power-play goal at 8:31, putting the Tigers ahead 3-1 after 40 minutes.
Despite being outshot 35-7 through two periods, the Broncos stayed within striking distance thanks to Cooke.
Swift Current’s comeback began at 13:32 of the third. Brendan Rudolph scored his fourth goal of the preseason, with Hudson Kibblewhite and Ty Meunier picking up the assists, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
With time running out, the Broncos found the equalizer. Meunier scored with just 38 seconds remaining in regulation, assisted by Rudolph and Kibblewhite, tying the game 3-3 and forcing overtime.
The teams went three-on-three in the extra frame, but neither side could find the winner despite Medicine Hat holding a 6-2 advantage in shots.
In the shootout, Rudolph opened the scoring for Swift Current before the teams battled through five rounds. Meunier eventually delivered the deciding goal, while Cooke shut the door at the other end to secure the 4-3 Broncos victory.
Medicine Hat finished with a 46-17 advantage in shots and won 43 of 53 faceoffs. The Broncos went 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Tigers finished 1-for-2.
Cooke’s 43-save performance helped Swift Current earn its second victory of the preseason.
The Broncos and Tigers will meet again Saturday, September 12, when the preseason shifts to Shaunavon and the LSB Legacy Wickenheiser Centre. Puck drop is set for 5:00 p.m.
