Dating back to the 2008-09 season, the Swift Current Broncos haven’t played in one regular-season game on this day, March 24.
However, the team has played in four playoff games and as everyone is still dealing with the fact that the WHL Playoffs have been cancelled, let’s take a look at that action. To note, Swift Current didn’t qualify for the playoffs after a season that offered up just 10 wins, the least in the Western Hockey League.
March 24, 2018: Starting a run
The Swift Current Broncos qualified for the playoffs after a wonderful regular season which saw them go 48-17-5-2. That placed them second in the East Division only behind Moose Jaw. Their first-round opponent was the Regina Pats who went 40-25-6-1.
The Saskatchewan rivals went toe-to-toe and what a series it ended up being. Swift Current used a 34-save performance from Stuart Skinner to shutout the Pats, 3-0, to take a 1-0 series lead.
The best-of-seven remained in Swift Current for game two the next night. Regina used two goals from Cameron Hebig in a 2-1 win as they evened up the series.
In the end, Swift Current downed Regina, 3-2, in game seven as they took the series in seven games to advance. This was the same year that Swift Current went all the way.
They took down Moose Jaw in seven games in their semi-final which was followed by a six-game series win against Lethbridge. In the WHL Final, the Broncos downed Everett in six games to win the Western Hockey League.
March 24, 2017: Let the fun begin
The Broncos would open up their playoffs against another Saskatchewan rival in the Moose Jaw Warriors. On this day back in 2017, Jordan Papirny was the man. He made 40 saves as the Broncos kicked off the series with a 2-0 win. Tyler Steenbergen and Glenn Gawdin scored Swift Current’s markers in the game.
Swift Current would then go on to win the series in seven games to advance to the next round for the first of back-to-back years.
This time, the Regina Pats would get the best of them; however. Sam Steel scored two goals on April 17, 2017, to help the Pats win 5-1 and they eliminated Swift Current in seven games in the process.
March 24, 2010: Trying to stay alive
This day in 2010 will forever go down as a tough day in Swift Current Bronco history. Playing the Brandon Wheat Kings in the first round, the team dropped the first three games of the series.
In order to stay alive, the Broncos had to win this game. Alexander Urbom had other ideas as he scored the overtime winner for Brandon with just three minutes left as the Wheat Kings edged Swift Current, 3-2.
The win advanced BrandonÂ. They ended up losing to Calgary in the Conference Final.
March 24, 2009: Tame the Tigers?
The first two games between Swift Current and Medicine Hat resulted in a split as the series moved back to Medicine Hat for games three and four.
On this day in 2009, Swift Current truly proved to be too much for the Tigers. Michael Stickland led the way as the Broncos toppled Medicine Hat, 5-2.
Justin Dowling tickled the twine twice while Taylor Vause had one goal. The win gave the Broncos a 2-1 series lead.
However, Medicine Hat delivered the last punch and they did so in Swift Current. Zdenek Okal scored twice as the Tigers skated past the Broncos, 4-1, in game seven to advance in the playoffs. Medicine Hat was swept by Brandon in the next round.
Stay tuned very soon as Darnell Duff wraps up the 2019-20 season for the Swift Current Broncos.
