Hitmen End Broncos Season

Photo by Darwin Knelsen

The season is over for the Swift Current Broncos.

Chris Driedger made 34 saves as the Calgary Hitmen dispatched the Broncos 3-1 on Thursday night and won the first round series between the two clubs 4 games to 1. Driedger stopped 51 of the 52 Bronco shots he faced in games 4 and 5 combined.

“We had a real good game,” said Broncos Assistant Coach Darren Evjen. “It was similar to game 2 where I think we created more chances than they did and we played a really solid game. We just didn't execute on scoring a goal. That was probably the difference.” Full Interview with Darren Evjen

The Hitmen struck 3 times on 26 shots in game 5.

“We are very well known in our league for playing so good defensively and creating offence off of that,” Evjen said. “We just needed to execute when we had our chances and we didn't.”

The Broncos opened the scoring for the first time in the series when Coda Gordon struck on the power play. Richard Nedomlel's point shot deflected right to Gordon at the side of the Calgary goal where hew as able to tape it in.

Just over three minutes later Calgary struck back on Jake Virtanen's firs of the series as he got a step on Dillon Heatherington and beat Eetu Laurikainen between the legs.

Swift Current had chances early in the second period including back-to-back power plays. After they failed to convert the Hitmen were able to take a lead when Rask convert a give-and-go with Greg Chase, again going five-hole on Laurikainen.

Calgary extended their lead when Cody Sylvester stole the puck from Brycen Martin at the end of another Bronco power play. Sylvester sprung Elliott Peterson for a breakaway and he converted on his first of the playoffs to make it 3-1 Hitmen after 2.

The Broncos put lots of pressure on the Calgary goal in the third but couldn't beat Driedger. Ryon Moser came the closest as he rung a puck off the post early in the period. Swift Current pulled Laurikainen for the extra attacker late and still couldn't find the back of the net.

“You've got to give Calgary credit” Evjen said. “They're a good hockey club. Their top 6 is as good as any in the league. In the end they had lots of depth in high end guys.”

The Broncos went 1 for 6 on the power play, while they held the Hitmen to 0 for 3.

Calgary moves on to the second round to play either Red Deer or Medicine Hat depending on the result of the Edmonton/Kootenay series.

The Broncos will hold year-end meetings and clean out their lockers on Friday.