Playing their third game in as many days, the Swift Current Broncos completed a weekend sweep with their fourth straight win after defeating their host Prince Albert Raiders 6-5 on Sunday. They became the second team in the Western Hockey League to reach the 40-win plateau after the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Max Patterson’s eighth goal of the season closed the scoring on a wild game when he completed a Gordie Howe hat trick with 4:02 left on the clock.
Andrew Fyten opened the scoring only 3:25 into regulation for the Broncos, but Nikita Krivokrasov tied the game for the Raiders 4:08 later. Fyten scored his second of the period to give the Broncos a 2-1 lead, but Jordy Stallard replied with a power play goal for a 2-2 tie after 20 minutes.
The Raiders took their first lead early in the second period when Kody McDonald notched his 27th of the season. The Broncos replied with three straight goals to close the period, beginning with a Glenn Gawdin power play goal, followed by goals from Josh Anderson and Tyler Steenbergen.
The Raiders drew even again in the third period with goals from McDonald and Cole Fonstad before Patterson notched the game winner.
Stuart Skinner made 23 saves to improve to 23-18-2-0 for the Broncos. Ian Scott allowed five goals on 16 shots over 31:36. Curtis Meager worked the final 26:21, allowing one goal on 13 shots.
The Broncos improved to 40-13-3-1, while Prince Albert fell to 22-23-9-2. The Broncos will be back at home Wednesday to host the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Bronco Bits: Gawdin finished with a goal and two assists and now leads the WHL with 104 points in 56 games. Gawdin now has 31 points over a 16-game point streak dating back to Jan. 7.
