The Swift Current Broncos were shutout 4-0 by the host Medicine Hat Tigers to open the Western Hockey League playoffs on Friday.
The Broncos got out to a nervous start and paid for it when Tigers captain Oasiz Wiesblatt tapped a Gavin McKenna pass into an empty net only 2:11 into regulation. The first period was filled with penalties as both teams fired seven shots on goal.
The Broncos had their chances in the middle stanza, but it was the Tigers who doubled the lead when Wiesblatt took advantage of a turnover to deke out Reid Dyck for his second goal.
The Tigers added an insurance goal midway through the third period when Wiesblatt completed his hat trick with a power play goal. Bryce Pickford scored an empty net goal to close the scoring.
Dyck made 23 saves for the Broncos. Harrison Meneghin earned the shutout with 21 saves for the Tigers.
Game two will be Saturday in Medicine Hat. The series will shift to Swift Current on Tuesday and Wednesday.
