The Swift Current Broncos led early for a third straight game, but lost 4-3 Tuesday to the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors to fall behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final series.
The Broncos registered the opening goal for a third straight game when Colby Sissons’ point shot floated through traffic and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead after one period.
Brayden Burke replied early in the second period when he cut across the middle and then beat Jordan Papirny back across to the glove side. Thomas Foster scored for a second straight game when he tapped home a puck from a tight angle that rebounded off the end boards for a 2-1 Warriors’ lead after two periods.
Broncos’ captain Glenn Gawdin tied the game midway through the third period when he one-timed home an Aleksi Heponiemi centering feed for his second of the post-season.
The Warriors regained the lead when a spinning backhand attempt from Jayden Halbgewachs hit a stick in front and trickled in. They added an empty net goal from Foster to make it 4-2 with 1:26 left.
The Broncos pull their goaltender for a second time and earned a power play, which Ryley Lindgren utilized to score on with 29 seconds remaining, but the Broncos were unable to find the tying goal.
“We have been up in all three games,” noted Broncos’ defenseman Colby Sissons. “Late in the second and going into the third we got away from our game, things like getting pucks to the net and it has cost us.”
Jordan Papirny took the loss with 38 saves on 41 shots. Zach Sawchenko earned his second straight win with 32 saves.
The Broncos have gotten off to good starts in all three games so far.
“I think with the crowd we had tonight it is pretty easy to get into the game. We have been jumping on them early. But like I said, we have to play a full 60 against these guys,” said Sissons.
Game four will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Swift Current, which will likely be a second straight sellout crowd of 2,890.
“We just need to play a full 60. Just get pucks at Sawchenko’s feet. He is playing well, but we have to get in his head. We are getting that first one, but I think we have to pot one or two more to get right in his head and get a little bit of a bigger. One goal isn’t enough in this league,” said Sissons.
