Broncos Drop Decision To Hitmen

The Swift Current Broncos dropped a 5-1 decision to the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday afternoon to conclude the Oil Kings Annual Pre-Season Invitational.

Hitmen's Jaynen Rissling would open the scoring early into the opening frame to give Calgary a 1-0 lead.  Calgary's Ryley Bennefield would follow suit for the Hitmen adding a single near the 15 minute mark of the first period to up their lead to two.

The Broncos would outshoot the Hitmen 8-4 in the second period, but neither team would be able to get on the board as both netminders would deny all scoring chances.

Austin Calladine would further the Hitmen's lead five minutes into the third.  Followed by Bennefield's second of the evening shortly after.  Hitmen's Jake Virtanen would be charged with Boarding at 13:29 allowing the Broncos their fifth power play opportunity of the contest.  Seconds into the man advantage Dillon Heatherington would shoot one past netminder Mack Shields to put the Broncos on the board and put the game within three.  But, Brooks Macek would strike back for the Hitmen seconds later to restore their four goal lead resulting in a 5-1 final.

The Broncos outshot the Hitmen 24-21 and went 1 for 5 on the power play, while the Hitmen went 0 for 4.

UP NEXT:  The Swift Current Broncos travel to Maple Creek, SK on Friday to host the Moose Jaw Warriors in a special exhibition game.  Then, the Broncos wrap up their home-and-home with the Warriors at Mosaic Place on Sunday afternoon.

BRONCO BANTER:

Overage forward Christian Magnus wore the "C" for the Broncos in the Sunday afternoon contest.

Landon Bow got the start in net stopping 16 of the 21 shots he faced.

Dillon Heatherington notched his first goal of the pre-season with help from both Brycen Martin and Christian Magnus.

The afternoon contest saw two fights:

Adam Smith (6'2", 189lbs) and Jaynen Rissling (6'4", 222lbs) dropped the mitts midway through the second.

Zac Mackay (5'9", 161lbs) and Josh Thrower (6', 190lbs) took to a heated tilt in the dying seconds of the middle frame.

WHL OFFICIAL GAME SUMMARY