Broncos Take Down Warriors 4-2 in First Meeting of the Season
The Swift Current Broncos stayed perfect on the young season Thursday night, earning a 4-2 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors in the first meeting of the season between the East Division rivals.
Moose Jaw opened the scoring early, as Landen McFadden found the back of the net just 2:27 into the first period to give the Warriors a 1-0 advantage.
The Broncos answered with a pair of goals just nine seconds apart late in the frame.
At 15:24, Jacob Beaulieu scored the first goal of his WHL career, taking a feed from Oliver Torkki and finding the back of the net to even the game at 1-1.
Swift Current wasted no time grabbing the lead. Just nine seconds later, Zach Pantelakis scored his first of the season off a setup from Kayd Ruedig, sending the Broncos into the first intermission with a 2-1 advantage.
The Broncos added to their lead midway through the second period with another career first. Rookie defenceman Hudson Kowalchuk scored his first WHL goal at 10:25, with Parker Rondeau and Yuri Vlasenko picking up the assists. Kowalchuk’s marker would stand as the eventual game-winner.
Moose Jaw cut the lead to one at 14:03 while shorthanded. Jan Trefny fell on the play before the puck took an unfortunate bounce off his leg and found its way into the Broncos’ net, making it a 3-2 game heading into the third.
Swift Current came out firing in the final frame, applying relentless pressure and keeping the Warriors from finding the tying goal.
Pantelakis provided some insurance at 13:50, scoring his second goal of the night off assists from Jace McFaul and Trae Wilke to restore the Broncos’ two-goal advantage.
That was all the offence Swift Current would need as the Broncos closed out the 4-2 victory.
Cal Conway was strong between the pipes, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced to pick up the win. Swift Current outshot Moose Jaw 36-32 on the night, while both teams were held scoreless on the power play. The Broncos went 0-for-3 with the man advantage and killed off all five Moose Jaw opportunities.
The win improves the Broncos to 2-0-0-0 on the season.
Swift Current now heads on the road for its next game, taking on the Regina Pats on Sunday, September 27 in Regina.
