Broncos Comeback on Red Deer

Andrew Johnson and Coda Gordon each scored twice as the Swift Current Broncos came from down 3-1 to beat Red Deer 5-3 on Saturday night.

Graham Black chipped in with four assists in victory.

“We really needed it,” said Broncos Associate Coach Darren Evjen. “It's so tough at this time of year to get two points. There's a lot of factors. It's real hard to win and easy to lose so this was a big game for us.”

The Broncos were down 3-1 midway through the second period and were able to come back and pull out the victory.

“It's just a scratch and claw game for both teams,” Evjen said. “How deep you have to get when you're playing out there. It's valuable for our young players. They're seeing how tough it is and how hard you have to be just to make playoffs.”

The teams played a pretty even first period with Rhyse Dieno opening the scoring for Red Deer on an open look for his 21rst of the year. Johnson replied for the Broncos finding a loose puck that came off Gordon's stick and tucking it by rookie goaltender Taz Burman.

The Rebels pulled ahead in the second period. Swift Current failed to cash on a Burman turnover and then coughed the puck up themselves for a Scott Feser breakaway goal. Three minutes later Vukie Mpofu found a puck in the slot after Red Deer hemmed the Broncos in their own zone and put a backhand by Landon Bow for a 3-1 lead.

Swift Current turned the game around when Gordon scored his 21st of the year with only 33 seconds left in the period to cut into that Rebels lead. Both Black and Dillon Heatherington drove the net to draw the defenders and Gordon was able to use the opener to rip a shot by Burman.

“It puts us within striking distance in the third,” Evjen said. “It was such a huge goal for him to get for us and that's what you need from your scorers.”

The Broncos built on that momentum when Jay Merkley got open and wired home his 25^th of the year only 1:12 into the third period. Swift Current kept the pressure on and nearly pulled ahead when Rebels Coach Brent Sutter called timeout and turned the momentum briefly.

That only lasted until Johnson hit a stroke of luck midway through the period by firing a puck from the left corner that somehow bounced in behind Burman for his second of the game.

“I think that was the luckiest goal I've scored in my life,” Johnson said. “Just kind of threw it at the net and it ended up bouncing in... I saw (Tanner) LeSann driving the net and just threw it at the net trying to get a puck laying around the crease.”

It was a big game for the veteran forward as he also helped set up the empty net goal by Gordon to ice the victory.

“It's huge to get a win in a four point game like this,” he said. “With everyone else winning we have to keep pace and push the pace as well.”

Johnson had a turnover that led to an Edmonton goal in a loss on Friday. Broncos Coach and GM Mark Lamb didn't dwell on it and gave him a lot of ice against the Rebels.

“He turned the puck over on that one goal,” Lamb said before the game. “But he's been very consistent for us.”

Johnson has been playing some good hockey as of late and appreciated the vote of confidence from his coach.

“It's great that (Lamb) has the confidence in me,” Johnson noted. “I'm not taking that for granted. To finally get a couple tonight, get a couple bounces and get the win was awesome.”

“The last little while here, (Johnson) has really pushed to be a better player and make more of an impact on the game,” Evjen added. “Tonight he's one of the key guys. He gave us a couple of goals when we hadn't been scoring many. That's huge.”

Red Deer was 0 for 2 on the power play and Swift Current was 0-1. They remain last in the league in power play chances after receiving only three over two games this weekend.

Bow made 31 saves to earn the victory and shut the Rebels down in the second half of the game.

“I really liked his last twenty minutes,” Evjen said. “He was just rock solid. A big goalie that played big... never left much in front of the net, everything went to the corners or he ate the puck. Down the stretch we needed him to just be steady for us.”

Burman started for Red Deer at the last second in place of veteran Patrik Bartosak who missed the game sick.

The Broncos were without Nathan Burns again who has missed three games with an upper body injury and hopes to return soon. Geordie Maguire has mono and is out for at least a few weeks.

Swift Current sits alone in sixth place in the WHL with a two point cushion on seventh place Brandon who beat Moose Jaw on Saturday and six points ahead of the Rebels and Prince Albert Raiders tied for eighth. Regina beat Calgary in a shootout and remains six points ahead of the Broncos for top spot in the East Division.

Swift Current hosts Regina for the start of a key home and home series on Wednesday night at the Credit Union iPlex. All-time Broncos leading scorer Todd Holt is going to be in attendance for the game.

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