Broncos Beat Pats, Face the Tigers in Round One

The Swift Current Broncos doubled the Regina Pats 4-2 at the Brandt Center in a game that lacked emotion Saturday night.

Justin Dowling, Cody Eakin, Mike Brown and Michael Stickland all scored goals for the Broncos in the win.  The Broncos outshot the Pats 34-12 in the contest.  Morgan Clark played goal for two periods before giving way to rookie call-up Alex Sirard for the third.  Sirard was only tested four times as the Pats didn't have a quality chance in the third period.  He was the goalie of record and picked up the win as the Broncos broke a 2-2 tie with two third period tallies.

Also on the night, the Kootenay Ice defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-1 meaning the Broncos and the Medicine Hat Tigers will play in the 4 vs 5 playoff bracket.  The series will open up at the Credit Union i-plex with game one next Friday night.

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Before I go any further I have to say a big THANK YOU to fellow broadcasters James Gallo in Moose Jaw and Rod in Regina.  I drove with my colorman in the station vehicle and left the broadcast equipment in my truck!

We were just outside of Moose Jaw when I realized the crucial error.  A quick call to James (who was just pulling into Brandon with the Warriors) and he set me up with the Warriors back-up gear.  I pulled into our Moose Jaw affiliate station and packed up the gear.

Rod lent us another head-set and a chord which allowed me to transmit my pre-game interviews on the air.

Thanks guys.  If there's ever anything you need.....  

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The Broncos have gone through another season without being shutout in a single game.  They have the longest active streak in the WHL going a 151 games without being blanked.  The streak stretches back to the last part of the 06/07 season.   

Geordie Wudrick ended off the season on a 14 game point streak when he assisted on Cody Eakin's marker late in the 2nd period.  Wudrick wasn't credited with an assist initially but definitely played a big role in the set-up.

The win was the 7th in a row over Regina during the regular season.  The Broncos end up going a combined 13-1 against their east division rivals from Regina and Moose Jaw this season.

The Broncos will host their awards banquet Monday night at the i-plex auditorium.

Have a great Sunday,

Jon