Swift Current Broncos gain two more points at home against Wheat Kings

The Swift Current Broncos hosted the Brandon Wheat Kings in another epic home game. The Broncos headed into the game with two wins and one loss so far in the month of February. Glenn Gawdin was the highlight of the night as the team and fans paid tribute to him in a pre-game ceremony to celebrate his 300th WHL game. Before the game Gawdin was sitting at 99 points on the season, hoping to notch that coveted 100th. With Joel Hofer in net, Colby Sissons and Artyom Minulin held up the blue line again with Gawdin, Tyler Steenbergen, and Max Patterson starting up front. The Wheat Kings had won three of the past four matchups with the Broncos and they sat 15 points back from Swift Current in the Eastern Division.

Glenn Gawdin

It wasn’t going to be an easy game for Swift Current to win because Brandon brought their best in the opening 20 minutes. Both teams were evenly matched as shots on goal were 11-10 for the Broncos after 20 minutes. The Broncos couldn’t seem to keep the puck low enough on those chances which resulted in wasted shots. Steenbergen had four shots on net, but it would take him until the final minute of the period to capitalize, giving the home team the 1-0 advantage heading into the second period. Hofer made ten stops on ten shots and was tracking the puck like a professional. Ultimately, it was the Wheat Kings top line making minor mistakes that cost them throughout the period.

Steenbergen and Gawdin opened the middle frame with a tic tac toe play. Giorgio Estephan had a partial breakaway and Sissons helped create a chance on net for Estephan soon after. After that, the Broncos were on the defensive again in the second period for another night. As a result of the Swift Current penalties, the shots on goal shifted in favour of the Brandon Wheat Kings for the first time in the game. Then the momentum shifted back in favour of the home team. The Wheat Kings couldn’t seem to find their skating legs in the later part of the period. Incomplete passes took away the creation of any plays and Brandon’s top line seemed to be suffering a bit. Without the depth that Swift Current has, Brandon fell even further behind the host team. With just under six minutes left in the period, Steenbergen was tripped up, giving Swift Current a man advantage, resulting in a goal scored by Matteo Gennaro. The Broncos would put another nail in the coffin with 39 seconds left in the second period when Beck Malenstyn would bury one giving the home team a 3-0 cushion. Swift Current regained the lead on shots on goal, 22-17.

Tyler Steenbergen-Stelio Mattheos (Darwin Knelsen)

The Wheat Kings would start the final period on a power play as Kaden Elder had taken a penalty at the end of the second. However, the visitors were unable to capitalize. Another Broncos penalty, Estephan for roughing, still didn’t help the Brandon team. Instead, Gawdin went up ice short-handed and notched another goal for Swift Current. The Wheat Kings would come back soon after and break the shutout. A couple of penalties to the visiting team didn’t help their momentum, but a sluggish Swift Current team would prove fruitful for the visitors as the Wheat Kings would take advantage of a lone puck in front of Hofer. With a score of 4-2, it looked like Brandon was making a comeback, only to be shut down by an empty net goal by Gennaro, finalizing the score 5-2 for the Swift Current Broncos. Hofer made 22 saves on 24 shots while the Broncos earned 29 shots on the Brandon net.

Traci’s 1 Star Of The Game – Matteo Gennaro
At 6’3” tall, he’s a big body rushing up the slot to intimidate the opponents goalies. In 51 games played this season, he’s earned 66 points, including 35 goals and 31 assists. In this game Gennaro used his size, his skill, and his natural talents to earn two goals and a +1 rating. He took advantage of every opportunity and helped the team create plays that aided in the 5-2 win.

The Swift Current Broncos are on the road Sunday, February 11th as they travel to Prince Albert to take on the Raiders again. They return home to play the Brandon Wheat Kings again on February 14th.