Broncos Lose Heartbreaker to Hitmen
Published on December 8, 2018 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release
On Friday night, the Calgary Hitmen held a significant advantage on the shot clock against the Swift Current Broncos but the visiting Broncos were sitting in a tied game late before losing in heart breaking fashion 3-2 in the final minute of third period play.
Broncos goaltender Isaac Poulter was locked in as the Winnipeg, MB native turned aside 11 Calgary shots over the opening 20 minutes of play.
Swift Current was the first to break the 0-0 deadlock all the way at the 14:39 mark of the second period. 19-year-old forward Ethan O'Rourke netted his first goal of the season when he slid a low shot past the lower left pad of Hitmen goaltender Jack McNaughton.
Former Swift Current Bronco Riley Stotts replied as he tipped a high James Malm shot down through the five-hole of Poulter to force a 1-1 tie and that score remained locked up when the second period expired.
Digging in paid off for the Broncos as Finnish Import Joona Kiviniemi stayed with the puck near the Hitmen crease and shook off defenders to bury his sixth of the season 8:01 into the third. The goal was unassisted and gave the Broncos a 2-1 lead that was short lived.
The Hitmen's Egor Zamula scored just 42 seconds later to once again tie the game up. Dakota Krebs and Cael Zimmerman gathered assists on the play.
Under a minute left in regulation, Calgary had 44 shots recorded but the score remained 2-2 and overtime was looming. Unfortunately for Swift Current, Hitmen forward Josh Prokop was credited for the eventual winning goal on a bit of a strange play in which the puck was thrown on net from the far end boards and it squeaked through a maze of legs along with Poulter's equipment.
The Broncos lost by a final score of 3-2 despite being outshot 45-13. Both teams played a rather clean game as Swift Current never saw power play time in this contest while Calgary finished 0/1.
Swift Current will have to recuperate quickly as the team gets ready to battle the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday, December 8th. Puck drop is slated for 8:00pm CT.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2018
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- Spokane Stops Streaking Hurricanes in 6-2 Win - Spokane Chiefs
- Strong Start Secures Hawks' Victory - Portland Winterhawks
- Basran Perfect in Rockets' 2-0 Win - Kelowna Rockets
- Broncos Lose Heartbreaker to Hitmen - Swift Current Broncos
- Schwebius Records First Win as T-Birds Bury Americans - Seattle Thunderbirds
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