The Swift Current Broncos have now won three games in a row after a 6-2 win over the Regina Pats, wrapping up their second win in the home and home set.
Just a night removed from a 7-2 win over the Pats, it was somewhat of a similar game in the sense that it was a tightly contested first period, but the Broncos took over with a strong second period to propel them to a victory.
Luke Mistelbacher scored 16 seconds into the game to start things off, while the teams would then trade goals for the first period as Zach Moore tied it for Regina before Connor Hvidston scored shorthanded to restore the Broncos lead. Anthony Wilson tied the game again for Regina, but that’s as close as the Pats would get.
Ty Coupland scored on the powerplay in the second, and Mat Ward scored twice later on as the Broncos jumped ahead 5-2. Broncos Interim Head Coach Taras McEwen said they weren’t at their best in the first, but turned things on in the second.
“I just didn’t think that we were tracking hard enough, getting in on the forecheck with our F1 with enough speed,” McEwen said. “So that’s something that we talked about in between periods and obviously a big power play goal there to kind of give us some momentum. Then I thought it was just a little bit simpler, getting pucks to the net and winning some battles, winning some box outs, whatever it took to get a goal.”
The Broncos chased Ewan Huet for the second straight night, this time after 29 saves through 40 minutes of hockey, giving way for Kelton Pyne.
Connor Gabriel added one more in the third period to make it 6-2, and were able to suppress much offense the Pats mustered the rest of the way.
The Broncos outshot the Pats 46-21 in the game and were 1-for-4 on the powerplay, and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.
The Broncos are back in action on Monday taking on the Moose Jaw Warriors, and McEwen said they’ll get focused for the collision course with the Warriors.
“Just want to make sure that we’re looking after ourselves here the next day and early game Monday,” McEwen said. “So, just want to make sure that we refocus and take care of ourselves tomorrow.”
Game time on Monday is 5 p.m.