Preview: Broncos Head to Lethbridge Looking for Back to Back Wins
December 28, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release
SWIFT CURRENT, SK - The Swift Current Broncos (7-22-1-2) ended a nine-game losing streak with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers Friday night, and now hit the road looking for two straight against the Lethbridge Hurricanes (21-10-0-5).
The line of Aiden Bulych, Tyler Smithies and Cole Nagy showed instant chemistry for the Broncos Friday night, combing for eight points in the win. Bulych scored twice and added an assist, Smithies scored once and added two helpers while Nagy, making his Broncos debut, picked up two assists.
Leading 3-1 after the first, the Broncos saw the Tigers claw their way back into the game with a goal in the opening minute of the second and the final minute of the game to send it to overtime.
Both teams had chances during three-on-three as Nagy was turned aside on a breakaway while Cole Clayton was stopped by the glove of Isaac Poulter coming down the slot.
In the shootout, the Tigers had three straight chances to win before Sergei Alkhimov put the Broncos ahead in round six. Jonathan Brinkman saw the puck roll off his stick to seal the Broncos win, their first since November 26 against Red Deer.
The Hurricanes were also in action Friday night, winning 5-4 in overtime against the Calgary Hitmen on home ice. Justin Hall tied the game with four minutes to go on the power play before Dino Kambeitz scored the overtime winner. The win leapfroged the Hurricanes over the Tigers for second in the Central Division.
The Hurricanes are without their three top players as Dylan Cozens, Calen Addison and Oliver Okuliar are representing Canada and Slovakia at the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic.
Saturday is the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams with the Hurricanes winning the first three. In the first three meetings, those three players have combined for 12 points for the Hurricanes.
Season Series
November 6, 2019 - Broncos 1 @ Hurricanes 4 Boxscore
November 20, 2019 - Broncos 2 vs Hurricanes 6 Boxscore
December 7, 2019 - Broncos 3 vs Hurricanes 5 Boxscore
December 28, 2019 - Broncos @ Hurricanes
December 30, 2019 - Broncos vs Hurricanes
January 11, 2020 - Broncos @ Hurricanes
March 18, 2020 - Broncos @ Hurricanes
Leading Scorers
Player Goals Assists Games Played
Ethan Regnier 7 9 30
Jaxan Kaluski 6 6 19
Aiden Bulych 8 3 31
Lethbridge Hurricanes
Player Goals Assists Games Played
Dylan Cozens 20 26 30
Oliver Okuliar 23 29 32
Alex Cotton 11 27 36
Special Teams
Team Power Play Penalty Kill
Swift Current 9.9 (22nd) 73.0 (21st)
Lethbridge 24.0 (5th) 74.8 (20th)
Western Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2019
- ICE Win 3-2; Sweep Home-And-Home Series with the Wheat Kings - Winnipeg Ice
- Tigers Hold on to Win 3-1 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Sogaard Tough on Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Weekend Ends with Loss at the Brandt Centre - Moose Jaw Warriors
- T-Birds Fall to Portland in Last Home Game of 2019 - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hawks Throttle Seattle in Rivalry Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Raiders Fall to Blades in Saskatoon - Prince Albert Raiders
- Paddock Earns Shutout as Pats Grab Win on Big First - Regina Pats
- Game Day Hub: December 28 - Portland Winterhawks
- ICE Look to Even Season Series with Wheat Kings - Winnipeg Ice
- Game 35 vs Calgary - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, December 28 at Medicine Hat - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Preview: Raiders & Blades Meet for Third Time in Three Games - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Preview: Pats Host Rematch with Warriors Saturday at the Brandt Centre - Regina Pats
- Break Doesn't Slow Cougars who Take Third Straight Win - Prince George Cougars
- T-Birds Blast Chiefs for Three Game Win Streak - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Return from Break Snaps Winning Streak - Everett Silvertips
- Blazers drop Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
- Giants Edge Victoria Royals 2-1 Friday on the Island - Vancouver Giants
- Americans Hold on for Overtime Point, Fall to Winterhawks in OT - Tri-City Americans
- Preview: Broncos Head to Lethbridge Looking for Back to Back Wins - Swift Current Broncos
- Slow Start Stifles Spokane at Seattle - Spokane Chiefs
- Royals Edged by Giants - Victoria Royals
- Rebels Push Oil Kings to the Limit, But Come up Short - Red Deer Rebels
- Winterhawks Come back to Extend Point Streak to Eight - Portland Winterhawks
- Broncos End Slide with Shootout Win over Tigers - Swift Current Broncos
- Tigers Can't Complete Comeback and Fall 4-3 in a Shootout - Medicine Hat Tigers
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