The Swift Current Broncos dropped their first game of the Western Hockey League playoffs in a humbling 7-2 loss to the host Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday.
One day after the Broncos opened the second-round series with a 7-2 road win, the Warriors scored six goals in the second period to tie the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. Defenseman Denton Mateychuk led the Warriors with one goal and five assists, followed by five points, including a hat trick, from Brayden Yager.
The Broncos opened the scoring again when Josh Filmon scored for a fifth straight game, his sixth of the playoffs. The Warriors tied the game with a shorthanded goal from Yager.
The Warriors turned their fortunes around with six goals in the second period. Yager got the scoring going with a power play goal and then Mateychuk scored 39 seconds later to double the lead. Jagger Firkus added to the Warriors lead and then Yager scored to complete his hat trick. The Warriors then added goals from Martin Rysavy and Kalem Parker, the seventh goal chasing Reid Dyck after making 18 saves on 25 shots.
The Broncos scored the only goal of the third period with a Caleb Wyrostok shorthanded marker.
Joey Rocha stopped all 14 shots he faced over the final 27:20 for the Broncos. Jackson Unger rebounded for the Warriors with 25 saves.
The Warriors finished one-for-five on the power play. The Broncos were held without a goal on three man-advantages.
Games three and four will be Tuesday and Wednesday in Swift Current.
