Skinner, Gawdin lead Broncos to big Game 3 win
The best-of-seven series between these two East Division titan Swift Current Broncos and Regina Pats took place on Monday night at the Brandt Centre and it was an outstanding performance by the visiting club as they knocked off the Pats by a 4-1 score to grab a 2-1 series lead.
New Jersey Devils prospect Colby Sissons got things started as he let loose a hard slap shot from the left faceoff area in Pats territory by Pats goaltender Ryan Kubic to make it 1-0 Broncos midway through the first period.
Swift Current kept coming as their deadly power play unit quickly moved the puck around to set up the second goal of the frame. Broncos captain Glenn Gawdin redirected in his first goal of the 2018 WHL Playoffs as Giorgio Estephan made a perfect tape-to-tape pass to find Gawdin stationed next door in front of the Pats crease.
The Broncos found themselves in a bit of penalty trouble in the second period as Gawdin and Sissons picked up minor penalties but the penalty kill units were effective in not allowing quality scoring chances. Shots on goal were 30-19 in favour of Regina through 40 minutes.
Mossbank, SK native Tanner Nagel put his team up a field goal as he gathered a rebound off a long Estephan shot and slid it by Kubic 5:09 into the third.
Pats forward Emil Oksanen managed to just sneak one by Broncos goaltender Stuart Skinner as he got a piece of Oksanen’s shot but just not enough. The puck snuck through the 19-year-old’s equipment and it just crossed the line, cutting the Broncos lead 3-1.
Gawdin then put the Broncos back up three goals in no time as he lifted a shot over the blocker hand of Kubic 42 seconds after the goal from Oksanen.
Skinner was terrific in the Broncos’ crease once again as the Edmonton, AB native stopped 39 shots to gather his second win of the 2018 postseason and earn first star honours.
Shots on goal were 40-24 in favour of Regina. The Pats power play went 0/5 while the Broncos finished the evening 1/5 on the man advantage.
Game 4 is scheduled for 7:00pm at the Brandt Centre on Wednesday, March 28th.
