It's almost another must-win situation for the Swift Current Broncos as they host the Regina Pats in game three of their first round WHL playoff series.
Regina leads the best of seven series 2-0 after 4-2 and 3-2 wins over the weekend.
“The first two games I think they outplayed us (and) they outworked us,” said Broncos defenceman Brett Lernout. “But I think all the guys we feel confident.”
“We weren't laying the body, we weren't playing physical and I think that has a big part in the game and has a big part in how we play.”
The Broncos scored first in each game and couldn't hold those early leads. On back-to-back nights the Pats managed to pull ahead and then shut the door in the third period. Outside of a big push by the Broncos at the start of the first game chances have been hard to come by for both teams.
“It's going to be tight and it should be tight,” said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. “We don't want to get in a run and gun game with them at all. They've got some good speed. Where we can get some offence is we've got to get our power play out there.”
The Broncos have only had three opportunities on the man advantage through two games. Their power play was significantly ahead of Regina's in the regular season and a big factor in the games they won against the Pats in the season series.
Swift Current will need more production out of their leaders. Most of Regina's top scorers have at least a goal through two games of the series, while the Broncos are still waiting for offence from their key guys.
“When you look at the series right now their best players are scoring goals and our top players aren't,” Lamb said. “If your best players don't create offence who is going to? They've got to find a way to get it done.”
“We've got to be a physical team. I don't think we've seen our physicality at its best. We've got to move our feet.”
Despite the deficits and some frustration there is still reason for optimism. The games have been tightly played and come down to a late push with the net empty on both nights. Now the Broncos take their 22-12-0-2 home record and 3-1 record on home ice against the Pats this season into game 3.
“It's very competitive when you break the two games down,” Lamb said. “It's very close... but we're down 2-0. You don't throw everything out. You don't get frustrated. You get mad and you want to go out there and get even.”
Tickets have been selling fast for the game this week and the Broncos are expecting a big push towards game time. You can get your tickets earlier at The Stable or scbroncos.com. SWT and Diamond Energy are putting on a BBQ before the game to help build anticipation.
Our broadcast starts at 6:30pm on The Eagle 94.1 FM. Puck drop is just after 7:00pm.
Fri, Apr 26, 7:00 PM
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