A win is win.... bottom line.
The Broncos were happy to have escaped with victory in Red Deer but several of the guys are wondering just how that game was close.. A 5-4 winl in regulation thanks to David Steiler's powerplay goal late in the third period to break the deadlock.
The Broncos stormed out of the gates with goals by Keegan Dansereau just 39 seconds in and Brad Hoban/Erik Felde's marker at 2:27. Its still unclear who got the 2nd goal. The replay apparently says Hoban (for his 1st ever WHL goal) but he tells me Felde got it.
The Broncos let the Rebels back in the game with some careless penalties. J.D Watt scored on a 5-on-3 in the first, Scott Doucet scored a 5-on-3 marker in the 2nd.
With the Broncos up 4-3 going into the 3rd thanks to goals from David Steiler and Levi Nelson, the Rebels tied it with 12:53 left on a goal by Dallas Jackson seemingly out of nowhere. The defenseman picked up a loose puck behind the Broncos defense and put it over the shoulder of Ian Curtis.
The Broncos received a late powerplay with five minutes left to play and made the most it when Steiler scored his 2nd of the night on a rebound.
The Rebels pressed thanks to a late powerplay but the Broncos held off the struggling club for the 5-4 win. The Rebels are now 1-6 on home ice. Tonight was the first non sell-out on a Friday night dating all the way back to 2001. Still a crowd of 5733 took in tonight's contest.
Levi Nelson was at his agitating best. A couple untimely penalties hurt the club but Levi was physically dominant at times with several huge hits all over the ice.
Christian Magnus played well in his WHL debut but saw limted ice especially in the third period with the game so close. The 15 year-old 1st round bantam pick impressd Broncos Assistant Coach Tim Kehler in our Coaches Show postgame.
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The Broncos departed for Edmonton following the post-game meal to hang up their equipment at Rexall Place. From there it was over to the downtown hotel for some rest.
A bunch or rowdy Lanigan folk are in Edmonton for the Riders/Eskimos game. A group of 12 made the trek today from Saskatoon and my cell phone hasn't stopped ringing since about 11pm on. Im going to try and track down the crew tomorrow. They've had way too much fun tonight by the sounds of it and I'd be too far behind to catch up. It's always good to see those guys and girls... maybe I can talk them into coming to the Broncos game tomorrow night at Rexall. I have a feeling they may be spending their day at the West Ed Mall. Hockey is good in all, but it's The Mall and I will understand.
Looking back on my highlight of the night it was without a doubt my pre-game chat with Red Deer Rebels head coach Brian Sutter. The 11 year NHL player and 13 more as an NHL head coach is as well spoken and thoughtful as they come. Certain people have this presence. He's one of them.
We didn't talk about their home ice struggles or the rebuilding process they are going through...we talked about life, priorities, hard work and things that are most important to success. It was like listening to the “Sutter Way” being dictated to you as if it was being read from the family manual. It was impressive. I truly felt educated and better off for our five minute chat which I aired on the pre-game show. For any of the other WHL broadcasters who surf on here from time to time let me say this: One of the best coaches interviews you may ever have. Knock on his door and introduce yourself. You will be glad you did.
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Junior Hockey Lessons
After getting into it with some of the vets after the game with some friendly jabs, I knew something was coming for me in the post-game meal.
Even though I was watching for it, a Rider overtime touchdown on the Boston Pizza TV's diverted my attention away long enough for the infamous “ shoe check” to be delivered. A little ketchup on the dress shoe was the payback as the veteran players usually get one of the rookies to do their dirty work.
Sitting close to Czech import Jan Dalecky I questioned him right away knowing he wasn't the guy who delivered the goods....
“Was that you Jan?”
“Whah, Whaht you mean?”
“ Shoe check.... did you do that to me?”
“ Nah, it was... was....Hoban, over there.”
Thanks for the info Jan. I file that away for later this season Brad....haha.. Jan didn't know it at the time but after ratting out a teammate he was in big time trouble with the guys. Within seconds, Jan's right shoe had the markings of a “ shoe check”.
Eric Doyle filled in Jan afterwards.... “never rat out a teammate”. It was the junior hockey lesson delivered to the soft spoken Czech.
Broncos and Oil Kings Saturday night. We're back on the air at 6:30pm with the pre-game show.
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