The Swift Current Broncos broke out of the gate like gangbusters at the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t seal the deal.
The Western Hockey League champions, which include former Prince George Cougars defenceman Josh Anderson, fell 4-3 in overtime to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Saturday in Regina.
Liam Murphy scored the winner in overtime for the QMJHL Champions as he shovelled home a loose puck past Broncos goaltender Stuart Skinner who allowed four goals on 39 shots.
“It’s not the outcome we wanted and obviously it wasn’t our best hockey and it definitely showed a couple of times as we had a lead against them and we just couldn’t lock it down,” added Anderson.
.@puckstopper_50 of @ABTitan elated over 4-3 overtime victory on Saturday at @MCMemorialCup against @SCBroncos #MMC100 #CityofPG #sports pic.twitter.com/oJfuNUQbwr
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 20, 2018
The Titan took control of the game in the third period putting up relentless pressure in the Broncos zone forcing Skinner and the defensive unit to come up with some huge saves and blocks.
“What they did out was from our misatkes and turnovers so realistically, if we limit those we have a chance to win the game.”
The 19-year-old blueliner from Duncan, BC was forced to log some extra minutes against Acadie-Bathurst due to the omission of veteran defenceman Shavan Khaira who was scratched due to illness.
.@SCBroncos goaltender @ssskipy_74 on today’s 4-3 OT loss @MCMemorialCup to the @ABTitan #MMC100 #sports #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/GnA7dBOv2M
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 20, 2018
Swift Current led 2-1 and 3-2 after the first two periods thanks to a pair of goals from Giorgio Estephan and a power-play marker from Tyler Steenbergen who left the game in the second period after taking a hard hit into the boards.
The two turning points of the game were a pair of shorthanded goals from Acadie-Bathurst courtesy of Samuel Asselin and Adam Holwell followed by a clutch third period save by Evan Fitzpatrick who robbed Broncos forward Glenn Gawdin on a breakaway.
The Titan (1-0) outshot Swift Current 39-27 overall and play the host Regina Pats (1-0) Sunday.
Anderson and the Broncos (0-1) look to rebound against the Hamilton Bulldogs (0-1) on Monday.
In the tournament opener on Friday, the Pats edged the Bulldogs 3-2 thanks to a last minute goal from Nick Henry.
Former Prince George and Cariboo Cougar defenceman Jonas Harkins was a healthy scratch while Jesse Gabrielle is out of the tournament due to injury.
A last minute game winner from @nhenry19 gives the host @WHLPats a 3-2 victory to launch the 100th #MCMemorialCup on home ice! #MMC100
STATS: https://t.co/RKfoIEv0Td pic.twitter.com/E8VNgr94jw
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) May 19, 2018