Preview: Broncos Begin New Year with Old Rivalry against Regina
January 1, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release
SWIFT CURRENT, SK - The Swift Current Broncos (7-24-1-2) are hoping to begin 2020 on the right foot as they kick off the new year with a home-and-home against the Regina Pats (10-19-1-3) at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex Friday night.
Monday the Broncos hosted the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a tightly-contested affair that ended in a 3-1 Hurricanes victory.
Tyler Smithies opened the scoring on an odd-man rush in the first period as the Broncos led 1-0 heading into the second. Just 1:08 into the middle frame Lethbridge pulled even when Logan Barlage knocked home a rebound on a power play.
The Broncos had plenty of chances to retake the lead over the course of the second period including another odd-man rush and two missed open nets.
Lethbridge would pull ahead for good in the third off a missed clearing opportunity when Justin Hall jumped on a rebound from a Barlage shot in the slot. Hall would also seal the game with the empty-net goal.
Friday will be the third meeting of the season between the long-standing rivals and both teams having a victory. November 19 Isaac Poulter turned aside 48 shots in a 2-1 Broncos win on the road before the Pats got their revenge three nights later with a 6-0 win in Swift Current.
The Pats are in action Wednesday as they host the Prince Albert Raiders to the Brandt Centre.
Friday is also Retro Night at the iPlex as limited-edition merchandise will be available for purchase at The Stable throughout the game with throwback tracks played throughout the game.
Perhaps expected after the 2018 championship run, 2019 was an arduous calendar year for the Broncos as they finished with a record of 11-49-3-3 from January 1 to December 31. With 10 picks in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft and 10 in the first six rounds in the 2020 draft alone, the Broncos are setting themselves up for years of success.
Season Series
November 19, 2019 - Broncos 2 @ Pats 1 Boxscore
November 22, 2019 - Broncos 0 vs Pats 6 Boxscore
January 3, 2020 - Broncos vs Pats
January 4, 2019 - Broncos @ Pats
February 7, 2020 - Broncos vs Pats
February 8, 2020 - Broncos @ Pats
Leading Scorers
Player Goals Assists Games Played
Ethan Regnier 7 9 31
Jaxan Kaluski 6 6 21
Kasper Puutio 1 11 32
Regina Pats
Player Goals Assists Games Played
Austin Pratt 12 18 33
Zach Wytinck 4 22 32
Robbie Holmes 14 11 33
Special Teams
Team Power Play Penalty Kill
Swift Current 8.9 (22nd) 73.7 (21st)
Regina 16.3 (18th) 81.5 (8th)
Western Hockey League Stories from January 1, 2020
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- Oil Kings Kick off 2020 with Shootout Win over Silvertips - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Giants Fall 1-0 in their 2020 Opener against Victoria - Vancouver Giants
- Holmes Ends OT Early for 2-1 Pats' Win - Regina Pats
- Raiders Earn Point in OT Loss to Pats - Prince Albert Raiders
- Best in East ICE Down Saskatoon Blades - Saskatoon Blades
- Tigers Fall 4-2 in New Year's Day Date with the Hitmen - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hitmen Edge Tigers, 4-2 - Calgary Hitmen
- ICE Ring in the New Year with 6-1 Win - Winnipeg Ice
- Americans Deal Warm to Edmonton for Two Players, Two Picks - Tri-City Americans
- Oil Kings Acquire Goaltender Beck Warm from Tri-City Americans - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Preview: Broncos Begin New Year with Old Rivalry against Regina - Swift Current Broncos
- Game 36 at Calgary - Medicine Hat Tigers
- ICE Look to Ring in the New Year in Saskatoon. - Winnipeg Ice
- Game Preview: Ice Roll into Town for First Game of 2020, Decade - Saskatoon Blades
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, January 1 vs. Medicine Hat - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Kick off 2020 with New Year's Day Game against Prince Albert Wednesday - Regina Pats
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