Broncos fall to visiting Rebels

Broncos forward Eric Houk (right) fended off Red Deer's Joel Sexsmith during a 5-1 loss. STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER

The Swift Current Broncos lost 5-1 to the Red Deer Rebels on Friday. The game was up for grabs midway through the third period until the Rebels put it out of reach with three goals.

Josh Tarzwell opened the scoring for Red Deer just as it had appeared the Broncos had killed off a lengthy five-on-three Red Deer power play for a 1-0 lead after one period.

Defenseman Connor Horning tied the game for the Broncos midway through the second period when his wrist shot from the point made its way through a crowd and into the top corner.

Chris Douglas added an insurance marker midway through the third period when he backhanded a two-on-one feed home. Brett Davis scored into an empty net and then Keaton Sorenson added another goal to close the scoring.

Isaac Poulter made 25 saves to fall to 2-2-0-0 for the Broncos. Ethan Anders improved to 3-2-0-0 with 27 saves.

The Broncos fell to 2–3-0-0 with their second home loss, while Red Deer evened their record at 3-3-0-0.

The Broncos are off until Wednesday when they host the Portland Winterhawks in the third of four straight home games.

Bronco Bits: former Broncos first round pick Joel Sexsmith played his first WHL game at the iplex on the blueline for the Rebels. The Edmonton native was drafted ninth overall by the Broncos in 2017 before being traded to the Vancouver Giants. He was traded from Vancouver to Red Deer this summer. The Broncos announced prior to the game that they had signed overage netminder Reece Klassen. Klassen split last season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Spokane Chiefs. They also reassigned rookie netminder Jordan Fairlie and forward Owen Blocker.