Broncos Stretch Winning Streak To 9

Last updated at 1:26 AM on 10/02/08

Broncos stretch winning streak to nine games

Guggenberger posts third shutout in four appearances
SOUTHWEST BOOSTER SPORTS
The Southwest Booster


The Swift Current Broncos stretched their impressive winning streak to nine games with a 3-0 victory over the host Red Deer Rebels on Saturday night.

Equally impressive was 18-year-old goaltender Mark Guggenberger who recorded his third shutout in four games for the Broncos since being acquired at the Western Hockey League trade deadline from the Portland Winter Hawks. Guggenberger stopped all 23 shots he faced to move to 4-0 as a Bronco. Guggenberger has stopped 108 of 111 shots he has faced in four appearances with his new team.

Import forward David Stieler opened the scoring early in the middle frame with his 17th goal of the season.

Draft eligible forward Matt Tassone tallied his 14th goal with 3:13 remaining in the second period to stretch the Broncos lead to 2-0. Tassone now has four goals over his past five games.

16-year-old forward Brad Hoban closed the scoring in the third period with the third goal of his rookie campaign.

Dale Weise registered a pair of assists to give him 13 points over his past 11 games.

Captain Zack Smith added to his team leading point total with two helpers to give him 58 points in 57 games including nine points in five games versus the Rebels.

The win clinched a five-game series sweep for the Broncos including a 9-3 win in their most recent meeting on January 16th in Swift Current.

Morgan Clark suffered the loss with 34 saves on 37 shots to drop his record to 8-19-0-2.

The Broncos failed to score on five man-advantage opportunities but also successfully killed off four Rebels powerplays. The Broncos have now allowed only one goal on 44 penalty kills over the past eight games.

The Broncos also improved to 23-1-0-2 when leading after the second period.

With the win the Broncos improved to 32-20-0-5 and sit in seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, one point behind the Moose Jaw Warriors for sixth in the Conference. The Rebels dropped to 16-35-4-2 and remain in last place in the Conference.

The two points gives the Broncos 69 on the season equalling the total that placed them third in the East Division last season behind the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Regina Pats. The next win for the Broncos will equal the 33 wins they posted last season.

Sunday the Broncos visit the Eastern Conference leading Calgary Hitmen at 2 p.m. The Broncos have lost in regulation and a shootout to the Hitmen, but have not faced them since a 4-3 shootout loss on Nov. 20th.