The Swift Current Broncos’ 11-game home winning streak came to an end in stunning fashion in a 5-4 shootout loss to the visiting Prince Albert Raiders Friday.
The Broncos allowed two goals over the final 3:31 of regulation to force ovetime and also led in the shootout before Regan Nagy and Parker Kelly both scored and Curtis Meger stopped both Bronco shooters.
The Broncos still gained a point in their chase of the Moose Jaw Warriors for top spot in the Western Hockey League after the Brandon Wheat Kings defeated the Warriors. The Broncos moved to 45-14-4-2, one point behind Moose Jaw.
The Broncos opened the scoring on the power play when Kaden Elder tipped home his 14th goal of the season on a beautiful saucer pass from Aleksi Heponiemi. They added to their lead when Giorgio Estephan finished off a beautiful passing play for a 2-0 lead after one period.
The two teams each scored twice in the middle stanza for a 4-2 Bronco lead. Sergei Sapego scored on the power play 4:07 into the period. Matteo Gennaro replied 1:31 later for the Broncos and then Estephan snapped home his 30th of the season to extend the lead to three goals. Brayden Pachal found the back of the net while four-on-four to close the period scoring.
The Raiders added a power play goal with 3:33 left in regulation from Vojtech Budik. They pulled their goaltender and Jordy Stallard tipped home a point shot for his 41st goal of the season.
The Broncos nearly ended it 37 seconds into overtime when Estephan wired a shot off the cross bar.
Gennaro scored for the Broncos in the shootout before Glenn Gawdin and Aleksi Heponiemi were both stopped.
Stuart Skinner made 34 saves to fall to 27-19-3-0 for the Broncos. Ian Scott made 10 saves on 13 shots in 25:38 for the Raiders. Curtis Meger made 22 saves in 38:21 of relief work to earn the win.
The Broncos continue a three-game home stand on Saturday when they host the Brandon Wheat Kings.
