broncos warriors spagrud
Justin Spagrud battling against Moose Jaw (Photo by Darwin Knelsen)

Justin Paulic made 42 saves and Todd Fiddler scored the shootout winner as the Moose Jaw Warriors beat the Swift Current Broncos 3-2 in the shootout.

Eetu Laurikainen was strong making 35 saves in his return to the Broncos goal after some time away to complete his schooling in Finland. Countryman Julius Honka had his third consecutive multi-point game with 2 assists to up his total to 7 points in 3 WHL Games for Swift Current.

The Broncos fell behind early for the third straight time this season as Moose Jaw opened the scoring 12:47 into the first period. Ben Duperreault found himself all alone in front of the Swift Current net and had two whacks at the puck before beating Laurikainen for his first of the season.

The home team responded only 44 seconds into the second period when what looked like a missed opportunity on a 4 on 2 turned in Swift Current's favour when Zac Mackay found a puck in the right face-off dot and fired it by Paulic before he could re-adjust. It was the second of the year for Mackay who has taken on a new role centering a shut down line with Tanner LeSann and Andrew Johnson. They shadowed Moose Jaw's top line all night.

Swift Current took their only lead of the game on a 5 on 3 goal at 16:05 of the second period. Brycen Martin set Honka up for a one-timer that deflected off both Jay Merkley and Graham Black on the rebound before sliding in. Black got credit for his second goal of the year.

It didn't take long for Moose Jaw to respond when back-to-back penalties by LeSann and Connor Sanvido put the Broncos down 5 on 3. Travis Brown's shot deflected off new Broncos Captain Colby Cave's stick and landed right on the tape of Brayden Point for his third of the young season at 18:45 of the second period.

The Broncos outshot Moose Jaw 19-8 in the period and carried at 2-2 tie to the third. Neither team managed a goal despite a couple of power plays on each side. Overtime also solved nothing.

Fiddler's goal was the only one of the shootout as Honka, Black and Sanvido all missed for Swift Current and Point hit the crossbar for Moose Jaw. That gave the Warriors the extra point and their first victory of the season.

Despite the loss Swift Current has earned points in each of their three games so far.

The Broncos and Warriors both went 1 for 5 on the power play.

Swift Current's next action is Saturday in Medicine Hat against a tough Tigers squad. You can hear all the action on The Eagle 94.1 FM starting with our pre-game show at 7:00pm and puck drop at 7:30pm.