GAME 1: Broncos at Calgary Hitmen

BRONCO BANTER: (2012-13 Regular Season Recap)

The Swift Current Broncos (36-29-3-4) open the 2013 WHL Playoffs presented by Kal Tire and Husky on the road against the Calgary Hitmen (46-21-1-4).  The Broncos wrapped up the regular season sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 36-29-3-4 record and 79 points.  The Broncos enter the playoffs riding a four-game win streak.

SERIES NOTES:

Regular Season

• The Broncos won the regular season series against the Hitmen, 3-1.  They started the series off with a 4-2 loss at the Scotiabank Saddledome on November 18^th, followed by back-to-back victories at the Credit Union iPlex (a 4-3 win on January 12^th and a 5-4 win on January 30^th).  The Broncos concluded their season series with a 3-1 victory in Calgary on March 1^st.
• Adam Lowry led the Broncos in scoring in the season series with 7 points (3G,4A).
• The Broncos were outshot 105-122, but outscored the Hitmen 14-12 in the four-game season series.  The Broncos went 4 for 11 on the power play (36%) and successfully killed off all 12 penalties against the Hitmen.

Post-Season History

• This marks the fourth time these two teams have met in the post-season.
• These two teams last post-season meeting was in the 2008 Eastern Conference semi-finals where the Hitmen came out on top 4-2, in the 2002 Eastern Conference quarter-finals the Broncos earned a 4-2 series win.  Swift Current fell 4-3 in the 1998 Eastern Conference semi-finals.

CALGARY CONNECTION: Six players on the current Broncos roster are from Calgary, with a total of 13 players from Alberta.  Broncos forward, Coda Gordon, was selected in the 6^th round, 165^th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.            

RETURN TO THE PLAYOFFS:  This will be the first time since the 2009-10 season that the Broncos have made a post-season appearance.  The Broncos were swept by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 2010 quarter-finals.  Only four of the Broncos (Adam Lowry, Levi Bews, Reece Scarlett and Brent Benson) on the current roster have playoff experience.

ALL-STAR TEAM:  Broncos captain Adam Lowry was named to the Eastern Conference First All-Star Team Wednesday.  He was the only player chosen by unanimous decision.

RECALL:  The Broncos have recalled 15-year-old forward Glenn Gawdin following the completion of his hockey season with the Greater Vancouver Canadians.  Gawdin was selected by the Broncos in the 1^st round, 5^th overall, of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.

ROSTER: The Broncos roster currently consists of 27 players. The team has 3 – 20 year old players, 7 – 19 year old players, 4 – 18 year old players, 9 – 17 year old players, 2- 16 year old players and 2 – 15 year old players.  Geographically, 14 Broncos are from Alberta, 8 are from Saskatchewan, 2 are from Manitoba, 1 is from British Columbia, 1 is from the Czech Republic and 1 is from Finland. There are 12 rookies and 15 veterans on the roster.

DRAFTED BRONCOS:  The Broncos currently have five drafted players on the roster:

Graham Black – 5^th round (135^th overall) – New Jersey Devils – 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Coda Gordon – 6^th round (165^th overall) – Calgary Flames – 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Adam Lowry – 3^rd round (67^th overall) – Winnipeg Jets – 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Reece Scarlett – 6^th round (159^th overall) – New Jersey Devils – 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Richard Nedomlel – 6^th round (175^th overall) – Detroit Red Wings – 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

2013 HUSKY WHL QUARTER-FINAL SERIES VS. CALGARY

DATE	LOCATION	TIME
Friday, March 22nd	CGY – Scotiabank Saddledome	7PM
Monday, March 25th	SC – Credit Union iPlex	7PM
Tuesday, March 26th	SC – Credit Union iPlex	7PM
Thursday, March 28th*	CGY – Scotiabank Saddledome	7PM
Saturday, March 30th*	SC – Credit Union iPlex	7PM
Monday, April 1st*	CGY – Scotiabank Saddledome	7PM

*If Necessary