Rudolph Hat Trick Leads Broncos to 5-4 Win Over Warriors
Brendan Rudolph recorded a hat trick and the Swift Current Broncos held off a late push from the Moose Jaw Warriors to earn a 5-4 preseason victory Saturday night at the Southland Co-op Centre in Assiniboia.
Swift Current wasted little time opening the scoring, as Rudolph found the back of the net just 3:02 into the first period. Ty Meunier and Hudson Kowalchuk picked up the assists to give the Broncos an early 1-0 advantage.
Rudolph struck again later in the opening frame, this time while the Broncos were shorthanded. Parker Rondeau set up Rudolph for his second of the night at 16:52, sending Swift Current into the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.
Moose Jaw got on the board 5:56 into the second period when Luke Moroz cut the Broncos’ advantage to one.
Rudolph restored the two-goal lead at 13:27, scoring his second shorthanded goal of the night to complete the hat trick and put Swift Current ahead 3-1.
The Warriors answered just 34 seconds later, with Colt Carter scoring at 14:01 to make it a 3-2 game heading into the third.
Swift Current added to its lead on the power play at 13:22 of the third period. Kayd Ruedig found the back of the net to give the Broncos a 4-2 advantage.
The Warriors refused to go away, as Rasmus Kamarainen scored with 1:08 remaining to pull Moose Jaw back within one.
With the Warriors’ net empty, Trae Wilke provided what proved to be the game-winning goal at 19:17, with Ruedig picking up the assist to make it 5-3.
That insurance marker proved crucial. Kamarainen scored his second of the night on the power play with just two seconds remaining, but the Broncos held on for the 5-4 victory.
Cal Conway made 23 saves on 27 shots to earn the win in goal for Swift Current.
The Broncos outshot the Warriors 28-27, including a 13-10 advantage in the second period. Swift Current finished 1-for-4 on the power play while Moose Jaw went 1-for-5. The Broncos also held a 38-34 advantage in the faceoff circle.
Swift Current now sits at 1-2 in preseason play and will return to action Friday, September 11, when they travel to Medicine Hat to face the Tigers. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at Co-op Place.
