Warrior Woes

Brandon- Another tough night at the Crushed Can.

For some reason this Broncos team struggles in Moose Jaw. Last night the Warriors built a 4-0 lead after two periods and then went on to the 5-2 decision - the third time the Broncos have lost in Moose Jaw this season. It's also another game where a team lower in the East division standings picks up the win. That has to stop.

It seems this club needs a spark to get going. After Jeremy Schenderling's goal 1:12 into the 3rd period, the Broncos were all over the Warriors. They eventually beat Kurt Jory a 2nd time in the 3rd to cut the gap to 4-2 before an empty-netter with five seconds left led to the 5-2 final.

The Warriors are a much better team than their East division basement record of 16-26-3 would indicate. The Broncos will host them next Sunday at the Civic Center and nothing short of a Broncos win will be acceptable from the coaching staff.

Brady Leavold had a strong game after he turned it up in the 3rd period picking up two assists and setting up numerous other scoring chances. The Broncos big scorers just didn't seem to have the hands last night. Levi Nelson had a couple of great scoring chances but couldn't get a clean shot away. Dale Wiese and Mike Wilson had 1st period breakaways which were stymied by Jory in the Moose Jaw goal. Daniel Rakos fumbled the water bottle in the middle of the bench - a place where he was relugated to for the 2nd straight game for uninspired play.

The Broncos did show some character. Leavold went after Ryan Stanton after he took a run at Nelson. Leavold may have sent a message, but he spent the next 17 minutes in the box after picking up the instigator and misconduct. Myles Rumsey scrapped with Martin Grundling and was more than able to handle himself with the clear win. In the fight, Rumsey took an errant thumb to the eye. He did return for the third period.

Travis Yonkman's heroics also ended in goal. After giving up the 4th marker, he was replaced by Kyle Moir in the 2nd period. Not to say Yonks was bad, he just wasn't spectacular like he was in the Calgary and Seattle game.

Tonight, a tough test against a Brandon team that has something to prove against the Broncos. The Broncos have won every meeting this season between the teams including a 2-1 win in overtime back in December in the last meeting. That was the game where Jeremy Schenderling tied the game with 6 seconds left and Dane Crowley won it in overtime. The Wheat Kings now hold an 8 point division lead over the Broncos after a 1-0 win over Spokane.

The Wheaties made one move at the deadline as they dealt their overage captain Teegan Moore to Portland to get even more scoring in Rob Klinkhammer. The Wheaties have the biggest offensive weapons in the division but still lack depth on defense. That's where the Broncos have went after them in the past.

More injuries for the Broncos just as it looked they were turning the corner on the injury front. RJ Larochelle and Spencer McAvoy blocked shots last night in the wrong places and returned back to Swift last night following the game in Moose Jaw.

The Broncos always seem to respond well after a bad game, we'll see who steps up tonight.

We'll be on the air at 7pm with the pre-game show, play-by-play at 7:30.

See you all tomorrow night when the Broncos host Calgary to wrap up the weekend.

Jon