Broncos remain perfect, edge Warriors 4-3
The Swift Current Broncos took a quick trip eastbound to Moose Jaw where it was a battle for supremacy in the Eastern Conference picture as both teams entered Sunday afternoon matinee with perfect 5-0-0 records. The Broncos came out on top, edging the Warriors 4-3 to sweep a three games in three nights set and improve to 6-0-0 on the year.
The Broncos got off to a quick start as Florida Panthers prospect Aleksi Heponiemi notched his second goal in as many nights after receiving a nice drop pass from line mate Glenn Gawdin 4:22 into the opening frame.
Warriors forward Jayden Halbgewachs tied it up at the 15:22 mark of the period and it was knotted up 1-1 after 20 minutes with Moose Jaw owning the advantage in the shots on goal department 13-9.
Tyler Steenbergen potted in his league-high 13th goal of the season to restore the Broncos one goal lead just two minutes and change into the middle period.
Then during some four-on-four action, Sahvan Khaira was credited for his first goal of the season after his pass deflected off a skate or two by Warriors goaltender Brody Willms, giving Swift Current a 3-1 advantage.
A fluky play from the Warriors led to their second goal of the night as Noah Gregor made a centering pass when he was skating towards the Broncos crease from behind the net and it bounced off Khaira’s skate and through the legs of goaltender Logan Flodell.
Moments later, tempers flared with the Broncos Khaira and Warriors Tanner Jeannot scrapping it out to land themselves five minute majors for fighting.
Conner Chaulk doubled the Broncos lead to 4-2 as he snapped in a loose puck off an initial shot from Kole Gable.
Jett Woo scored for Moose Jaw late in the game but Swift Current held on for the 4-3 victory to stay undefeated.
Flodell was solid once again in the Broncos crease, blocking 31 shots for his fifth straight win of the year.
Shots on goal were 34-29 in favour of Moose Jaw. Both clubs combined to go 0/9 on the power play with the Broncos finishing 0/4 and the Warriors 0/5.
Steenbergen and Heponiemi are both tied for first in the WHL scoring race with 19 points apiece. Steenbergen’s 13 goals and Heponiemi’s 16 assists are also league bests.
The Broncos return to kickstart a three game home stand that is set to begin on Tuesday, October 10th against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
