The Swift Current Broncos picked a great time to end a 12-game losing streak to the Medicine Hat Tigers following a spirited 5-2 win last night at the Civic Center.
The game started with a bang when R.J. Larochelle and Chris Stevens scrapped one second into the game. They traded the right hands pretty good. It was when R.J. got the left hand going when the tide seemed to turn in his favor. He left the game with a hand injury and didn't return. Although in the postgame show Broncos Assistant Coach Dave Hunchak didn't feel the injury was serious and that he may play tomorrow afternoon in Saskatoon.
Two goals by Levi Nelson, two from Kyle Bortis and a single from David Stieler would pace the Broncos to the victory. Kyle Moir was great at time making 36 saves for the win.
It was the first Broncos win against the Tigers since November '05. That night the Broncos also won 5-2 at the Civic Center.
Make no mistake the Tigers will be back. When you delete Kris Russell, Darren Helm, David Schlemko, Tyler Swystun, Daine Todd and Jakub Rumpel from the line-up you aren't going to be playing up to your full potential.
Ryan Molle continues to impress me in his "utility role". Wherever the Broncos need him he's there to fill in and play well. He has the "Coaches Award" at year end wrapped up in my opinion.
I was happy to see most of the WHL broadcasters use our two part feature on the Broncos Bus Crash on their broadcasts this weekend. It's good to see these other WHL markets recognize this event - as tragic as it was. Some even honored the four fallen Broncos with a moment of silence before puck drop. Maybe the present Broncos received a lift from the emotional night.
What a crowd last night! Best of the year maybe?? For the most part the hillbilly Tiger fans stayed home. We didn't see a "sea of orange" in the stands last night. Just a few pockets of Med Hat fans were in the building. Most Hat fans are good but we have seen some jack-ass worthy performances at the Civic Center from some fans from Tiger town.
Hey! It seems the East division hasn't been the leagues punching bag lately. Last night the Broncos beat the Central division leading Tigers, the Wheat Kings went into Calgary and beat the Hitmen and the Moose Jaw Warriors picked up a road win in Kelowna. Let's see what Prince Albert can do tonight in Kootenay.
The Broncos play a New Year's Day matinee is Saskatoon tomorrow afternoon. We will have the action for you on the Eagle 94.1 FM beginning at 3:30pm with the pre-game show, 4pm face-off. Safe to say the Broncos owe the Blades one or two. The Blades have won six games in a row - the longest current winning streak in the 'dub. All six have come against East division teams. They are in the midst of playing 10 straight games against teams from their own division. The Broncos have been streak-killers this season. They ended a Brandon six-game winning streak earlier, A Lethbridge five-gamer and on Friday night they snapped Prince Albert's six game streak.
Let's see if they can play spoiler again . . .
Happy New Year!
Jon
1 comment:
Kootenay laid a royal whopping on P.A. and beat them 5-1, Jon.
We're not only breaking win streaks, but why do teams tend to lose four or more in a row after playing us??!!? I've never seen this before! I hope it continues.
The way the Pats are going, I don't think they'll be able to knock off Brandon tomorrow. So we had better win in S'toon. I think we sure owe them one or two. The guys are fired up for it; no question, and the two losses before Xmas are refreshed in the whole team's mind. We'll see what happens. Remember, we are almost FAMOUS for breaking winning streaks this season. The Blades are on a six-gamer.....LET'S GO SWIFTY!!!
The new year rolled in a while ago. I watched my satellite alarm clock when it rolled in. Nothing special happened. The digits just switched like they normally do. Hahaha! Interesting Jon, eh? Well, I guess I'm hitting the hay. Another day tomorrow where nobody works, except me. I'm up at 4:00 AM, to start my 11/12-hour day, as usual. G'night everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR, and let's hope the Broncs are focused tomorrow, and lay down a lickin'. I'm confident the guys can get the W. Let's see. Again, I say, "LET'S GO SWIFTY!!!!!"
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