Big leads haven't been safe for the Swift Current Broncos early this season.
They've gotten out to 3-0 leads in each of their first three games, but only managed to hold on for a win once. After a 4-3 overtime loss and 7-1 victory in games against Moose Jaw, the Broncos fell 4-3 in overtime to the Regina Pats on Wednesday night.
Swift Current dominated the first period with goals from Josh Derko, Zac Mackay and Justin Spagrud. They outshot the Pats 23-7 in the period and asserted physical dominance when dropping the gloves as well. Chance Lund manhandled Tye Hand and Josh Derko got the best of Dyson Stevenson in a closer bout.
Full Interview with Darren Evjen and Zac Mackay"Things were going our way," said Assistant Coach Darren Evjen. "We were doing a lot of good things, winning a lot of the one on one battles, getting pucks in deep, forechecking, cycling... and then what happens sometimes is you start doing more than you need to do, a little bit too much, and you start turning pucks over. It becomes contagious."
Regina completely flipped the game in the second period. They kept the Broncos pinned in their own zone and closed the gap to 3-2 on goals by Lane Scheidl and Morgan Klimchuk.
"I think we let it get to us that we had a lead," Mackay said. "We came out a little bit soft and not the way we wanted stay... that's what happened in Moose Jaw, we got up 3-0 and we let it slide. We have some work to do with that. We know what we have to do to win, and we know what we have to do to get up in games like we are. If we can stay playing that way, keep focused and keep the momentum going then we shouldn't have a problem."
The Broncos played a better third period as they outshot the Pats 11-5. However, on a late play off a faceoff, Shaunavon native Dyson Stevenson banked a puck off Travis Oulette to force overtime. Klimchuk then added his second of the game in overtime to skate out of Swift Current with their first victory of the season.
"We played well in the third," Evjen siad. "If we play a better second period we're not in that situation probably and we come away with 2 points rather than 1."
Matt Hewitt made 38 saves to earn the win for Regina. Eetu Laurikainen allowed 4 goals on 24 shots in the Swift Current goal.
Mackay's goal was the first of his WHL career.
"It was real exciting," the Swift Current native said. "It's great to have it in front of my home crowd with all my family and friends and everybody watching. A good experience, but unfortunately we couldn't come out with the win."
The Broncos have earned 4 points in 3 games so far. They continue their home-stand with games against Brandon on Friday and Saskatoon on Saturday.
Game Highlights
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Click here for the Broncos website summary
Thu, Apr 18, 1:30 PM
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