Max Gerlach scored twice to ruin the Swift Current Broncos home opener as the Saskatoon Blades won 2-1 on Friday.
After a scoreless first period, the two teams combined for two goals 21 seconds apart. Overage forward Kaden Elder found a loose puck midway through the second period and found the back of the net. Max Gerlach quickly replied with a breakaway goal to tie the game after 40 minutes.
Gerlach knocked home a loose puck in the third period to clinch the win for the Blades.
Joel Hofer took the loss despite making 34 saves. Nolan Maier got the win with 15 saves on 16 shots.
The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,890 as the Broncos played a four-minute video tribute showcasing the 2017-18 season before raising the Eastern Conference and WHL Championship banners to the rafters.
“I thought we started off strong. Obviously with the tribute and everything the guys came out fast and we were hitting. That’s the game, we had some unlucky bounces, a lucky bounce go for them. That’s the name of the game though,” said Hofer.
The two teams will rematch Saturday in Saskatoon.
