The Swift Current Broncos scored four first period goals and rode it to a 7-4 win in Moose Jaw - ending the Warriors seven game home-ice winning streak in the process.
The Broncos took advantage of some jittery play and poor rebound control from goaltender Joey Perricone, chasing the starting goaltender late in the first period in favour of Todd Mathews after Levi Nelson's PP goal at 13:14 to make it 4-1.
The game plan was simple - and effective. Get pucks to the net and get after loose pucks. It was a gritty effort which resulted in several bang and crash goals. Matt Tassone's 2nd goal of the game - a shorthanded marker set-up by Erik Felde midway thru the 2nd period made it 5-2 and may have been the turning point.
The win was the Broncos third of the season against Moose Jaw. They've all come inside the Moose Jaw Civic Center, a place the Warriors have played their best hockey.
"I don't know what it is about this Broncos team but that's the third time this year they've come in here and stolen both points. We definitely weren't as sharp and as prepared to do the little things," fired Warriors Associate Coach Rene Lemire in the Warriors' post-game show.
Meanwhile the Broncos were all smiles for their road win. It was Moose Jaw's first regulation home ice loss since mid-November.
"If we're shooting and guys are going to the net we're going to get goals like that. That's what a lot of the goals were like tonight - one guy shooting, one guy driving and the third guy high," said Spencer McAvoy who added a goal and an assist. He's made a seamless transition back to forward after playing the year on the back end.
The game did get greasy as Levi Nelson seemed to be a target of the Warriors all night long. Levi played right back at them collecting a goal and two assists while getting his nose dirty on a few occasions.
I was disappointed in the late goings as the Warriors attempted to grease it up with the rough stuff. They weren't about to go quietly. Warriors Frazer McLaren - who wasn't all that effective on the night despite some recent offensive success, went after Zack Smith following the Broncos empty-netter to with 1:36 to go in the game. The final 1:30 went pretty quietly except for a late scrum involving Levi Nelson and Giffen Nyren.
The Broncos are now 6-2 against division rivals Moose Jaw and Regina. I only mention that because one of those teams has a good chance of meeting the Broncos in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Broncos host Brady Leavold and the Kelowna Rockets Friday night in what should be a high flying affair at the Credit Union I-plex.
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Bronco fans will be keeping a close eye on the CHL/NHL Top Prospecst game out of Edmonton tonight. Geordie Wudrick will play for Team Red and is excited to match up agains the top draft elgible players from across the CHL.
"I don't think I'm nervous just excited. It's a big honour to be able to play with all the top players ranked in the CHL for the upcoming NHL draft. I'm just going to go out there and try to work hard and bring a physical presence into the game."
Wudrick particpated in last night's skills competition and 3-on-3 game. You can catch tonight's game on Sportsnet at 8pm Saskatchewan time out of Edmonton's Rexall Place.
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