Broncos Finish B.C. Swing with Loss to Rockets in Kelowna
October 18, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release
Kelowna, B.C. - The Swift Current Broncos have finished their B.C. road swing with a 6-3 loss to the Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday night.
The Broncos got out to a great start in this one as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead late in the first period as Josh Flukers first of the year, and Clarke Caswell's second of the season gave the Broncos the lead. The Broncos out chanced the Rockets, and outshot them 12-6 as well.
However, in the second, the Rockets pressed back and outshot the Broncos 18-6, with a big help coming from four penalties taken by the Broncos and the Rockets capitalizing on two of them as Tij Iginla and Gabriel Szturc struck with the extra man. Szturc and Max Graham each scored at even strength as the Rockets took a 2-1 lead.
"Couldn't kill a penalty in the second period, and that's kind of what it came down to," said Broncos Assistant Coach Taras McEwen. "We were just giving them too much time and space. They have some game breakers in their lineup that you have make sure that you manage their lanes and take time and space away."
Tyson Laventure made it 4-3 in the third period and it seemed like the momentum was switching back into the Broncos favour, but a mixup in the Rockets zone led to a pass leaving the zone and entering the empty Broncos net as they had the extra attacker. That made it 5-3 and the Rockets added another empty netter to cap off the third.
While it's back to back nights with 2-0 leads given up by the Broncos, McEwen hopes the lessons of these games are learned quick.
"Very frustrating," he said. "Hopefully you go through them and you understand the moment, how to reset, refocus in between periods. That's the one thing for players coming into this league, you can't get too high, too low, regardless of the situation, its Junior hockey, any team can come back on any given night."
The Broncos have a few days before their next contest as they will host the Regina Pat's on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2023
- Wiesblatt Delivers In Overtime Win Over Giants - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Broncos Finish B.C. Swing with Loss to Rockets in Kelowna - Swift Current Broncos
- Tri-City Grabs Early Lead, Takes 2-1 Win Over Wild Wednesday - Wenatchee Wild
- Giants Edged 3-2 in OT by Tigers - Vancouver Giants
- Double Hat-Tricks Highlight Hawks' Seventh Straight Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Rockets Topple Broncos - Kelowna Rockets
- Americans Edge Wild, 2-1 - Tri-City Americans
- Wheat Kings Fall Flat Against Winterhawks - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hawks Hit Double Digits, Dominate Wheat Kings in 11-1 Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Hitmen Fall to Hurricanes in Overtime - Calgary Hitmen
- Cougars Inching Closer to Community Heroes Weekend - Prince George Cougars
- Winterhawks Reassign Dyck and Massey - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Acquire Matteo Danis from Calgary Hitmen - Prince George Cougars
- Oil Kings Sign Forward Jack Toogood to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Preview: Americans vs Wild - October 18 - Tri-City Americans
- Game Day Hub: October 18 vs. Brandon - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Preview: Game 10 at Vancouver - Medicine Hat Tigers
- T-Birds Shock Wheat Kings in Stunning Final Minute - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Wonderful Wards: Mathew, Sam Shine in Broncos Win over Blazers - Swift Current Broncos
- Penalties Cost Warriors in Loss to Regina on Tuesday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Tigers Drop 4-1 Decision in Victoria - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Three Goal Second Frame Lifts Pats to Fourth Straight Win - Regina Pats
- Oil Kings Shut Out By Rebels - Edmonton Oil Kings
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