Broncos show their fight in 6-2 loss

Nine different Swift Current Broncos dropped the gloves as frustrations boiled over in a 6-2 loss to Red Deer on Saturday night.

It wasn't just the usual combatants as veterans like Coda Gordon and Colby Cave seemed to inspire the outbreak of fights in the third period when they traded blows with members of the Rebels.

The fights perhaps serving as a message from the leadership group that the rest of the team picked up on in an emotional response to another disappointing result on their five game road swing.

Swift Current needed a lift at the end of a road swing that saw them uncharacteristically give up 30 goals in 5 games. They had only given up 64 goals in their previous 24 games.

Saturday's game started promisingly. They jumped on the Rebels with several early chances before Max Lajoie opened the scoring with a well-placed point shot. Red Deer replied with an immediately time out and a scrap between Tanner LeSann and Kolton Dixon. Once the dust had settled the Rebels struck only 25 seconds after getting down 1-0 with Connor Bleakley's 8th of the season.

Swift Current's generally strong power play had a chance to pull them ahead early in the second period when Brooks Maxwell took advantage of a puck lost in Brett Lernout's feet to surge ahead on a breakway and strike shorthanded. The Rebels would add another shorthanded goal from Wyatt Johnson later in the period to take over the WHL lead in that category with 10.

The Rebels held a 4-1 lead after the second period and added two more as the third period turned into a battleground.

Jordan Harris knocked in his 2nd goal of the season late as Jaydan Gordon earned his first WHL point with an assist.

The Broncos played well at even strength and weren't rewarded before the game started to slip away.

Travis Child started the game for Swift Current and was pulled after allowing 3 goals on 8 shots. Landon Bow stopped 13 of the 16 shots he faced before again giving way to Child in the third period.

Swift Current 0 for 5 on the power play and Red Deer finished 1 for 6.

The Broncos are back on home ice this Friday against Lethbridge. Four of their five games before the Christmas break will be at the Credit Union iPlex. You can hear them all on The Eagle 94.1 FM.