Broncos conclude U.S. trip with a loss

The Swift Current Broncos concluded their five-game U.S. Division road trip with a 2-2-0-1 record after a 4-2 loss to the host Spokane Chiefs Tuesday.

The Broncos tied the game twice on goals from Giorgio Estephan and Artyom Minulin, but allowed the final two goals while playing their fifth game in seven days.

Filip Kral scored twice for the Chiefs, while Kailer Yamamoto opened the scoring only 31 seconds into regulation and Ethan McIndoe scored the game winner late in the second period.

Stuart Skinner made 21 saves on 25 shots to fall to 18-17-2-0 on the season. Dawson Weatherill improved to 13-9-1-2 with 28 saves for the Chiefs in front of 3,410 fans at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Broncos remain second in the WHL with a 33-12-3-1 record after their third straight loss, while Spokane improved to 25-19-1-2.

The Broncos will be back home Saturday to face the Regina Pats at 2:30 p.m. The Memorial Cup trophy will be present at the game. The Broncos have won both previous meetings this season but both teams have changed through trades considerably since the Broncos won 4-2 on Jan. 6 in Swift Current.

Broncos Bits: Aleksi Heponiemi’s streak of 28 consecutive games with at least one point came to an end after compiling 69 points since Oct. 14, 2017. Shaunavon’s Kole Lind now has the longest active point streak in the WHL with 28 points over his last 15 games with the Kelowna Rockets dating back to Dec. 9. Broncos Hall of Fame member Dan Lambert was behind the Chiefs’ bench as the head coach.