Broncos’ Comeback Falls Just Short in Regina
October 9, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Swift Current Broncos News Release
Regina, Sask. – The Swift Current Broncos (2-4-0-0) battled back from a 4-0 deficit to get to within one, but that was as close as they got in a 4-3 loss to the Regina Pats (4-4-0-0) at the Brandt Centre on Saturday night.
The Pats scored on a power play just 2:32 into the game. Tanner Howe wired a wrist shot from the left circle over the blocker shouler of Reid Dyck to get the Pats up early. Alexander Suzdalev added to the lead by jumping on a rebound in front, pushing Regina’s lead to 2-0 at the 15:33 mark of the period.
Mathew Ward nearly cut the lead in half late in the period when he dug a loose puck out of skates in front of the net, but Drew Sim stretched out to his blocker side to deny the Broncos forward of his first goal of the season. Shots read 15-4 in favour of Regina as they took the 2-0 lead into the intermission.
Suzdalev then scored his second of the game on another early-period power play for the Pats, giving them a 3-0 lead 2:19 into the middle frame.
The physicality ramped up as the game went on and Connor Hvidston and Josh Davies both dropped the gloves less than a minute apart near the middle of the period.
Connor Bedard added to Regina’s lead before the Broncos got on the scoreboard. Grayson Burzynski fired a perfect stretch pass up the ice for Ward who blew past the defender and beat Sim through the five hole to make it 4-1.
Immediately after the goal, Bedard slashed Filmon which resulted in both players being sent to the box and the two teams playing four-on-four.
Swift Current was called for another penalty just 1:15 into the third period, but it was the Broncos capitalizing. Brady Birnie banged in a loose puck in the crease after an odd man rush, cutting the Pats lead down to 4-2 with his first of the season.
The Broncos got their first, and only, power play of the game halfway through the third period and would bring themselves to within one. Ward loaded up for a one timer from the blue line that was blocked, but it deflected right to Josh Filmon who quickly fired a snapshot over the glove of Sim to get the Broncos within one.
Swift Current kept up the pressure in the final minutes, including a short two-on-one off a turnover by the Pats, but weren’t able to complete their comeback, dropping the 4-3 game.
The Broncos will have a chance at revenge when they host Regina next Friday.
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