Preview: Broncos Host Moose Jaw to Begin Weekend Series
Published on January 23, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release
SWIFT CURRENT, SK - The Swift Current Broncos (9-30-1-3) are hoping an old rivalry will spark them to victory as they host the Moose Jaw Warriors (11-28-2-0) Friday night to begin a weekend series against their long-standing rivals.
Wednesday the Broncos held a 2-0 lead against the Eastern Conference-leading Edmonton Oil Kings early in the second period, but the Oil Kings came storming back with four unanswered goals en route to a 5-3 final.
Sam McGinley with his second and Eric Houk with his third put the Broncos ahead 2-0, but Edmonton threw 22 pucks on Isaiah DiLaura over the course of the second period to pull even heading into the third.
The Oil Kings took the lead just 20 seconds into the third and added another five minutes later, before Jaxan Kaluski pulled the Broncos to within one with just over eight minutes to go.
Edmonton added an empty netter to seal the victory, outshooting the Broncos 62-24 as DiLaura was named the game's first start with 57 saves.
The Moose Jaw Warriors are in a similar position to the Broncos as they traded two of their top players at the trade deadline to build for the future.
Gone is Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Brayden Tracey and number one goaltender Adam Evanoff as the Warriors turned their focus to youth and draft picks. Their new goaltending tandem is Boston Bilous, formerly of the Prince Albert Raiders, and Brock Gould, acquired in the Tracey/Evanoff blockbuster.
Moose Jaw still features the ever-dangerous Ryder Korczak who has blossomed in his second season in the WHL, combined with a bigger role with the Warriors, posting 45 points in 41 games this season.
Friday's meeting is somewhat of a something's-gotta-give matchup, as both teams enter the game having lost their last seven games.
Season Series
November 9, 2019 - Broncos 1 @ Warriors 3 Boxscore
November 16, 2019 - Broncos 7 vs Warriors 3 Boxscore
January 24, 2020 - Broncos vs Warriors
January 25, 2020 - Broncos @ Warriors
February 28, 2020 - Broncos @ Warriors
February 29, 2020 - Broncos vs Warriors
Leading Scorers
Swift Current Broncos
Player Goals Assists Games Played
D-Jay Jerome 15 18 46
Jaxan Kaluski 14 7 30
Tyler Smithies 5 12 36
Moose Jaw Warriors
Player Goals Assists Games Played
Ryder Korczak 12 33 41
Owen Hardy 19 10 40
Martin Lang 7 16 36
Special Teams
Team Power Play Penalty Kill
Swift Current 11.8 (22nd) 74.2 (20th)
Moose Jaw 18.2 (15th) 73.8 (21st)
Western Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2020
- Rockets look to jump back into win column - Kelowna Rockets
- Preview: Broncos Host Moose Jaw to Begin Weekend Series - Swift Current Broncos
- Oil Kings and CMHA Edmonton Partner for Talk Today on January 28, 2020 - Edmonton Oil Kings
- WHL Announces Schedule for Inaugural WHL U.S. Challenge Cup - WHL
- Tips Fall in OT at Spokane - Everett Silvertips
- Spokane Stymies Silvertips with 3-2 Overtime Victory - Spokane Chiefs
- Isaiah DiLaura Shines in Broncos Loss to Oil Kings - Swift Current Broncos
- Warriors Suffer Wednesday Loss to Hurricanes - Moose Jaw Warriors
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