Scout
04-02-2007, 07:12 AM
Last updated at 11:00 PM on 01/04/07
Leffler bounces Broncos from playoffs
The Southwest Booster
Brett Leffler‘s goal with seven seconds left in the first overtime period gave the Regina Pats a 2-1 series clinching win over the host Swift Current Broncos.
The win gave Regina a four games to two series win in this best-of-seven East Division playoff series. The Pats won all three games in Swift Current to avoid a seventh and deciding game in Regina. It was the second overtime game of the series but the fourth time a game was decided by a margin of a single goal.
In a series played out over six full games and another 21 minutes of overtime, the entire series came down to a single bouncing puck.
Leffler’s first career post season goal came as he pounced on a loose puck following a Garrett Festerling shot on goal during a scramble in front of the Broncos net during the final rush of the period.
It was an unlikely end to the game, as the Broncos had failed to capitalize on a pair of overtime powerplay opportunities and they finished the game going just one for eight with the man advantage. Swift Current's penalty kill was relatively untested, stopping one of two Regina powerplays.
The overtime followed a thrilling third period which featured end to end action and both teams having chances to put the game away during the final 20 minutes of regulation. The closest opportunity came with six minutes left in regulation when Pats defenceman Logan Pyett rang a shot off the outside of the post.
Regina swung the momentum their way in the first period when Pats playoff leading scorer Garrett Festerling collected the rebound of a Logan Pyett point shot and found the net behind Moir for a powerplay goal with 3:58 left in the first period.
Ironically, Regina had been held to just two shots during the first 15:55 of the game, until they went on their second powerplay of the opening period and they struck for two powerplay shots in just seven seconds.
Neither team showed much offensive spark with Regina outshooting the Broncos 4-3. Swift Current had a trio of first period powerplays and generated no shots.
In the middle period, Swift Current’s special teams turned around, with their powerplay generating a series of chances.
The Broncos tied the game at 1-1 when Levi Nelson redirected an Eric Doyle point shot which deflected off the post and just across the goal on what was the Broncos fourth powerplay of the game.
The Civic Centre crowd was silenced on the very next shift when captain and defensive leader Myles Rumsey was left sprawled out on the ice while trying to absorb a hit from a Regina player. Rumsey immediately threw off his gloves and tossed his mouthguard while calling for Broncos trainer Paul Ayotte. Rumsey was helped off the ice by his teammates while favouring a knee and the overage rearguard was not able to return to the ice for the rest of the game. The Broncos were already short offensive sparkplug Brady Leavold who blocked a Matt Delahey point shot earlier in the middle period and he too did not return for the rest of the game.
Pats goaltender Linden Rowat improved to 4-2 in the post season by turning aside 33 of 34 shots.
Broncos overage netminder Kyle Moir ends his WHL career with a 2-4 playoff record after stopping 23 of 25 shots.
Leffler bounces Broncos from playoffs
The Southwest Booster
Brett Leffler‘s goal with seven seconds left in the first overtime period gave the Regina Pats a 2-1 series clinching win over the host Swift Current Broncos.
The win gave Regina a four games to two series win in this best-of-seven East Division playoff series. The Pats won all three games in Swift Current to avoid a seventh and deciding game in Regina. It was the second overtime game of the series but the fourth time a game was decided by a margin of a single goal.
In a series played out over six full games and another 21 minutes of overtime, the entire series came down to a single bouncing puck.
Leffler’s first career post season goal came as he pounced on a loose puck following a Garrett Festerling shot on goal during a scramble in front of the Broncos net during the final rush of the period.
It was an unlikely end to the game, as the Broncos had failed to capitalize on a pair of overtime powerplay opportunities and they finished the game going just one for eight with the man advantage. Swift Current's penalty kill was relatively untested, stopping one of two Regina powerplays.
The overtime followed a thrilling third period which featured end to end action and both teams having chances to put the game away during the final 20 minutes of regulation. The closest opportunity came with six minutes left in regulation when Pats defenceman Logan Pyett rang a shot off the outside of the post.
Regina swung the momentum their way in the first period when Pats playoff leading scorer Garrett Festerling collected the rebound of a Logan Pyett point shot and found the net behind Moir for a powerplay goal with 3:58 left in the first period.
Ironically, Regina had been held to just two shots during the first 15:55 of the game, until they went on their second powerplay of the opening period and they struck for two powerplay shots in just seven seconds.
Neither team showed much offensive spark with Regina outshooting the Broncos 4-3. Swift Current had a trio of first period powerplays and generated no shots.
In the middle period, Swift Current’s special teams turned around, with their powerplay generating a series of chances.
The Broncos tied the game at 1-1 when Levi Nelson redirected an Eric Doyle point shot which deflected off the post and just across the goal on what was the Broncos fourth powerplay of the game.
The Civic Centre crowd was silenced on the very next shift when captain and defensive leader Myles Rumsey was left sprawled out on the ice while trying to absorb a hit from a Regina player. Rumsey immediately threw off his gloves and tossed his mouthguard while calling for Broncos trainer Paul Ayotte. Rumsey was helped off the ice by his teammates while favouring a knee and the overage rearguard was not able to return to the ice for the rest of the game. The Broncos were already short offensive sparkplug Brady Leavold who blocked a Matt Delahey point shot earlier in the middle period and he too did not return for the rest of the game.
Pats goaltender Linden Rowat improved to 4-2 in the post season by turning aside 33 of 34 shots.
Broncos overage netminder Kyle Moir ends his WHL career with a 2-4 playoff record after stopping 23 of 25 shots.