The Swift Current Broncos had a 2-1 edge in this series over the Regina Pats before this game. But a twist of fate has evened out the series again.
During the latest Manny In The Morning interview by Ryan Switzer, Broncos head coach, Manny Viveiros explained, “Regina played very well.” And they have throughout this entire series so far. The Pats have been sharp on defense and powerful in their offence. In Game 4 of this series, the Broncos efforts were thwarted by the Pats goalie, Ryan Kubic and the Regina’s strong offence.
Less than three minutes into the game, Sam Steel made a great pass to Cameron Hebig who got one past Stuart Skinner. With a score of 1-0 for Regina, Josh Anderson slammed Libor Hajek into the boards. Hajek would not be seen for the rest of the period. Not long afterward, Regina would retaliate with a shot on net by Cale Fleury that went off the crossbar, but didn’t go in. When Glenn Gawdin took a cross-checking penalty that broke his stick, Emil Oksanen would capitalize on the man-advantage and give the home team a 2-0 lead.
Later in the period, the Broncos found some chemistry and put some pressure on Regina. Noah King had a good shot on net from the blue line, but he couldn’t solve Kubic. Aleksi Heponiemi made a back-pass to Glenn Gawdin who tried a back-handed shot on Kubic. Then Tyler Steenbergen swatted at the rebound and caught Kubic with the follow-through from his stick. Swift Current got one last chance on Kubic when the goalie was out of position but Tanner Nagel couldn’t quite get his stick on it. The score was 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. With shots on net being 12-6 on favour of the home team, the Pats owned the first period. The visiting team had a shallow hole to dig themselves out of, but they were still in the game.
Libor Hajek returned in the second period after taking a hit by Josh Anderson in the first period. Sahvan Khaira opened the period with a penalty for high-sticking, but the Pats couldn’t get a good chance on net. The Swift Current penalty-kill unit looked sharp and focused. Colby Sissons got a short-handed shot off on Kubic from the neutral zone. And later Sissons drew a tripping penalty to put Swift Current on the man-advantage. After cycling the puck, the Broncos patience paid off as Tyler Steenbergen passed to Glenn Gawdin who slapped it past Kubic. Swift Current was on the board 2-1.
With a turnover by Swift Current, Regina would take advantage again and slip another past Skinner, making the score 3-1. After a huge save by Stuart Skinner, Matteo Gennaro took a hooking penalty. Libor Hajek found revenge for Anderson’s hit earlier in the game by giving the Pats a 4-1 lead with a power play goal.
Head coach Manny Viveiros changed up the lines in hope of switching the momentum in favour of Swift Current, but it didn’t work. Regina won a puck battle along the side boards and Jake Leschyshyn capitalized, giving Regina a 5-1 lead. With shots on net in favour of the home team, 20-9, Stuart Skinner would leave the ice, making way for rookie goaltender, Joel Hofer.
In spite of the goalie change, Swift Current would capitalize on a penalty to Hajek for interference, closing the gap, 5-2. But the visiting team wouldn’t be as lucky on the following Regina penalty to Hajek for holding on Kaden Elder that hauled Elder to the ice. Sahvan Khaira would end the period with a penalty for tripping. Regina was still up 5-2 after 40 minutes heading into the third period.
Swift Current killed of the remaining penalty to Sahvan Khaira. But before they did, Beck Malenstyn had a breakaway chance on Kubic with Sam Steel hot on his heels. He couldn’t get his stick on the puck because of Steel’s defensive play and no goals were scored during the penalty. Later in the period, after Kaden Elder got tripped up by Libor Hajek, Matteo Gennaro would take a shot on net that went off a Regina player’s skate. He then picked up his own rebound and buried it behind Kubic to put Swift Current on the board again.
With a score of 5-3 and some hope in hand, Manny Viveiros put four forwards on the ice with Colby Sissons. With more offensive power at the helm, Swift Current found their skating legs and put pressure on Regina. But it wouldn’t be enough to win this game and the Pats would score an empty net goal, finalizing the score 6-3 for the home team.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Regina played exceptionally disciplined hockey. Their offence looked like a well-oiled machine. They read every play, they communicated well, and they took chances on net at just the right time. Cameron Hebig and Sam Steel are a powerful duo, whether 5-on-5 or during a power play, they get it done.
With the final shots on net in favour of Swift Current, 29-28, the visiting team came back huge in the third period. If they can play a full 60 minutes the way they played the last 20, there is no doubt that they can win this first round of playoffs. Kaden Elder’s consistency, Colby Sissons smart defensive decisions, and Joel Hofer’s big saves in net were key to the Broncos comeback in the third period.
The series is now tied 2-2 and the teams will make their way back to Swift Current to face each other in Game 5 at the Credit Union iPlex on Friday, March 30th.
