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Photo by Darwin Knelson

 

 

Brad Hoban scored his third of the game with with 38 seconds to play as the Swift Current Broncos beat Prince George 5-4 on Wednesday night.



"(Andy Blanke) made a nice backhand pass and I was able to walk in," Hoban said. "Their d-man kind of cheated on Blanke and their goalie came off his post a little bit, so I was able to stick it blocker side."

The game was at times sloppy and dominated by special teams. Broncos Assistant Coach Andy Schneider knows it wasn't their best outing.

"We struggled for a lot of that game," Schneider said. "We found a way and we just kept battling and pushing."

"The guys came through in the end."

It was the second hat trick of Hoban's WHL career. He struck first with Swift Current down 1-0 late in the first period. Adam Lowry sent a perfect pass across the front of the net and Hoban made no mistake with 1:08 to play in the frame.

Hoban then put the Broncos ahead for the first time on an early second period power play. He and Graham Black executed a very nice passing play that Hoban finished when moving from the point to the slot.

The teams traded leads several times throughout the period as Edmonton Oilers prospect Martin Marincin helped set up one goal and scored another to put the Cougars up 3-2. Swift Current struck back with power play goals from Lowry and Taylor Vause. Cougars forward Jake Mykitiuk's goal completed the scoring in the second and the teams were tied up.

Neither club was able to generate many opportunities in a slower third period. The Cougars outshot the Broncos 6-4 in the period and 31-20 in the game. Jon Groenheyde made 27 saves to pick up his second win as a Bronco. Drew Owsley made only 15 saves in the Prince George net.

Swift Current's power play is still among the best in the WHL early in the season. They went 3 for 7 on Wednesday night and are hovering around an impressive 40% efficiency. On the flipside, their penalty kill remains among the worst statistically in the league after allowing 2 goals on 6 Prince George opportunities.

"They're getting a few too many odd man rushes and a few too many second opportunities," Lowry said. "I think if we can clean that up the scores won't be so high."

Lowry and Vause each chipped in with a goal and two assists. The two veteran forwards and rookie Coda Gordon all sit in the top 20 of WHL scorers so far this season. Richard Nedomlel and Reece Scarlett remain among the top 20 scorers among defencemen.

Swift Current's next action is Friday night in Moose Jaw. Their road trip continues in Lethbridge on Saturday night and in Calgary on Sunday afternoon. You can hear all three games on The Eagle 94.1 FM.

Ryan Switzer interviews Adam Lowry and Brad Hoban


Shawn Mullin interviews Assistant Coach Andy Schneider


Click here for the summary from the Broncos website

Click here for Shawn Mullin's blog post on the game