Too Much to Handle, Broncos Win 4th Straight

A quick start, a three-goal lead, and the rest was nearly academic in Saskatoon last night.

The Broncos won their season high 4th straight game with a 7-3 victory inside a very chilly Credit Union Center. It was –37 outside and the building had some trouble keeping up, so did the Blades.

Not nearly a flawless effort, the Broncos offense took control despite some bad turnovers which resulted in a couple of Blades goals including a penalty shot marker from Ondrej Fiala with eight seconds to play in the first to cut the lead to 3-1 and give the home team some life.

First period tallys from Keegan Dansereau, Bretton Stamler (his first as a Bronco) and Erik Felde on the powerplay gave the Broncos the start they were looking for. They also chased starting goaltender Garrett Zemlak from the Blades goal in favour of Braden Holtby to start the 2nd.

Geordie Wudrick added a pair in the 2nd period to make it 5-1 before Chris Durand cut the lead to 5-2 after two periods.

Dale Wiese struck on a shorthanded breakaway just 25 seconds into the third period to put the Broncos up 6-2.

Gaelan Patterson scored on the shortside of Mark Guggenberger at 2:02 of the period to cut it to 6-3.

Michael Wilson completed the scoring with his 5th of the season after getting to the net and picking up a Geordie Wudrick rebound for the Broncos 7th and final goal of the night.

Mark Guggenberger finished the night with 25 saves. He was fine although he may want one; maybe two of the goals back. He provided a solid backstop for his 2nd win in Broncos uniform.

A career night for Geordie Wudrick. He finished the game with two goals and two assists and was chosen as the game’s first star. It was Geordie’s first four-point game. Up to this point in the WHL he didn’t even have a three-point night to his credit. He was a big presence in the game. He’s collected six goals in his last six games. His line along with Justin Dowling and Cody Eakin has provided another scoring threat.

The Broncos played without Matt Tassone who sat out the game with the flu. He’s been hot lately with goals in three straight games. He’s up for the Boston Pizza Fan’s Choice Player of the Week Award over at www.whl.ca

Kelowna Rockets General Manager Bruce Hamilton was in attendance checking out his son Curtis Hamilton. The Blades rookie was their 1st pick in the 2006 bantam draft. Bruce will be in Swift Current tonight to catch the 2nd half of the home and home set.

The Broncos will have to be better than they were in order to win both halves of the midweek series. The Blades will be better and the Broncos have to know that going in.

The win gets the Broncos back in the race for 5th, 6th and 7th in the Conference. They have to work hard for it. Teams in front of them have been playing well too and making up ground has been tough. There has been little to no favours. If they want to climb in the Conference standings they will have to do it themselves. Any help would just be a bonus.

Standings:

Calgary 76
Regina 71
Lethbridge 69
Moose Jaw 64
Med Hat 64
Kootenay 63
Brandon 62
Swift Current 59
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Edmonton 44
Saskatoon 39
Prince Albert 39
Red Deer 34

- Is it warming up? The sign at the I-plex read -26 as we got off the bus shortly after 1am. Arriving back in Swift and not being able to start my car was my biggest fear. No problems there. It's back to work at 5am at the station and then game-time again tonight. Pre-game show at 7pm, play-by-play at 7:30pm.

G'night,
Jon