BHP Recap: Broncos Escape the Cage with Tightly Fought Two Points
Connor McGrath scored for his third straight game to give him five goals in his last three outings.
Photo: Marla Possberg Photography The Broncos extended their winning ways to three games in a tightly contested 2-1 victory on the road against the Nipawin Hawks.
The Broncos entered the narrow confines of Centennial Arena, also known as The Cage, for the first time this season, knowing Friday’s nights road matchup would be a different animal than the 7-0 blowout victory over the Hawks just six days ago at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
Nipawin opened the scoring in the first period off the stick of Christian Albertson’s 13th of the year and took a 1-0 lead into the second frame. This was just the 14th time the Broncos trailed after the opening 20 minutes in 49 games this season. It also presented a difficult recovery task as the Hawks were 9-1-0-1 when leading after the first period.
As they have done all season long, the Broncos made the second period count. Connor McGrath tied the game with his 27th goal of the season, and just four minutes later, Braiden Koran deflected a shot from Rhett Gibson on the powerplay for the Broncos first lead of the game. For McGrath, he tied Alec Saretzky for the team-lead in goals, and now have five goals in his last three games.
Broncos netminder, Rayce Ramsay wasn’t overly busy in the third period, stopping all seven shots faced, but had to be on his game when the Hawks pressed for opportunities to even the scoring. Overall Ramsay stopped 21 of 22 shots and has now allowed just one goal or less in his last three games.
With the win, the Broncos improved their record to 37-12-0-0.
The Broncos have three games coming up next week, staring with the Notre Dame Hounds on Tuesday, February 15th in Humboldt. They will then return to Nipawin on February 18th, before wrapping up the week in Kindersley on the 19th.