Stuart Skinner made 36 saves to lead the Swift Current Broncos to a 2-0 win over the host Moose Jaw Warriors for their first two-game winning streak of the playoffs and a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final.
The Broncos spent much of the first period shorthanded but did some quality work on the penalty kill to keep the Warriors scoreless. Kaden Elder got the Broncos on the board 3:53 into the game when he tipped home a Josh Anderson point shot for his third goal of the post-season. Skinner was outstanding in the first period with 14 saves for the Broncos.
The two teams traded a few chances during a scoreless second period as the Warriors outscored the Broncos 10-4 in the frame.
The Warriors came out with a strong push for the first half of the third period but it was the Broncos who found the back of the net first. Tyler Steenbergen shook off the tackle attempt of Kale Clague and set up Giorgio Estephan for a near empty net goal for a 2-0 lead midway through the third period.
STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER
Skinner earned his third shutout of the playoffs to lead the Broncos to the win.
Brody Willms took the loss with 22 saves on 24 shots.
Game six will be Saturday in Swift Current. Game seven, if necessary, would be Monday back in Moose Jaw.
