WHL Swift Current Broncos

Gould Golden as Broncos Beat Winterhawks in Shootout

November 4, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release


Swift Current, Sask. - The Swift Current Broncos and Portland Winterhawks played an entertaining game on Friday night as the Broncos earned a 4-3 shootout win.

It didn't look promising early on as Josh Davies scored 33 seconds into the hockey game, biting his former club. However, just four minutes later, Josh Filmon scored on the powerplay to tie the game. Luke Mistelbacher gave Swift Current their first lead of the hockey game late in the first but it only lasted 40 seconds as Josh Zakreski tied it up for Portland.

Broncos Assistant Coach Taras McEwen said they wanted some more consistency in their play, and he felt like they put together a full 60 minutes.

"They score early, I just like our response," McEwen said. "And then after that, I thought the effort was there until the end of the game, so happy about that."

Nicholas Johnson scored in the second for Portland, giving them another lead, but things remained a one goal game as the Broncos had chances but couldn't see to get the tying marker. That was until 3:27 into the third period as a Brady Birnie wraparound goal tied the game once again.

That led things to overtime where the Broncos would get a powerplay, but couldn't get one by Jan Spunar who was solid for Portland. The powerplay ended early as Josh Filmon took a penalty and gave Portland a brief chance on the powerplay after a bit of even strength hockey. Neither team capitalized on their man advantages, leading to a shootout.

Mat Ward scored on the first shot for the Broncos, but that was matched on Portland's second shooter Diego Buttazzoni. Nobody else scored until Rylan Gould, the Broncos fifth shooter was able to beat Spunar to cap off his huge game that included two assists on the night.

Reid Dyck made the final save for the Broncos as theu earned their first win over Portland at the InnovationPlex since October 2016.

With a few key pieces out of the lineup including Caleb Wyrostok, Connor Hvidston, Peyton Kettles, Zach Turner, and Van Eger, McEwen said the depth really came to play.

"Real happy with the depth," McEwen said. "I thought all four lines were going, really happy with Gerwing and Pavelec. When they went out there, they had real good offensive zone time, so I was really happy with the depth. I thought we could play any one of our four lines and it didn't matter who they were matchup up against, they were going to go out there and do a job."

The Broncos also improve to 8-7-1-0 and are back at home on Sunday when the Everett Silvertips come to town.

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