With the way things went for the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday night, they just might want to consider a permanent team rebrand.
Playing as the Lake Diefenbaker Slough Sharks as part of a team promotion, Swift Current would score twice in the opening three minutes and go on to a 4-0 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors in Western Hockey League action.
Boston Bruins draft pick Reid Dyck was absolutely outstanding for the Sharks, making big save after big save as the game progressed -- especially as the Warriors pressed to get anything going in the third period -- and would turn aside all 31 shots he faced on the night.
Moose Jaw fell to 35-20-0-3 with the loss, remaining five points back of Red Deer for third in the Eastern Conference and five points up on Lethbridge for fourth.
It took Lake Diefenbaker only 30 seconds to get on the scoreboard, and it was a pretty one. The Sharks broke in on a three on one, and some slick puck movement led to Caleb Wyrostok tucking the puck in around Jackson Unger for the quick 1-0 lead.
Wyrostok then scored his second three minutes later, taking advantage of a bad defensive zone turnover and beating Unger with a shot from the high slot.
There things sat until 8:32 remained in the second period, when the Warriors had a golden chance to get back in the game thanks to a double-minor for high-sticking to Wyrostok. The Slough Sharks would be able to kill both penalties off to preserve Dyck’s shutout bid.
The Warriors had a handful of chances early in the third, none better than Ben Riche, who four minutes into the frame pounced on a turnover in the Sharks zone and got off a shot from the high slot that Dyck would stop, followed by another solid save on Riche on the rebound.
An offensive zone turnover by Lake Diefenbaker led to a breakaway for Riche with five minutes remaining in the game, and once again Dyck would come up with the big save.
Moose Jaw pulled Unger for the extra attacker with 3:50 left in regulation, but Josh Filmon would promptly score into the empty net for the 3-0 lead with 3:27 to play in the game.
Filmon added another empty netter with six seconds remaining, and the Slough Sharks had their four-goal win and Dyck his shutout.
Unger finished his night with 25 saves.
The Warriors are back in action on Wednesday night when they host the Brandon Wheat Kings. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
