A game that started off looking like the Broncos might be in some trouble, took a jaw-dropping turn for the better, granting the team a 7-2 victory and catapulting them into the third round of the playoffs.
Cody Hodges received some well-deserved pats on the back after banking six of the seven goals scored during the Feb. 16 game in West Kelowna, and nabbing an assist on the remainder. This brings him up to 56 shots scored throughout the year, a big accomplishment for the 16-year-old.
The first period against the West Kelowna Warriors was a little rough for the Broncos, who had difficulty connecting passes and following through plays.
While both teams remained scoreless throughout the first frame, the Warriors were certainly dominating and the Broncos left the ice looking tired and frustrated.
By the time the puck dropped in the second, however, it was as though a whole new team had taken the ice.The Broncos began putting pressure on the Warriors and, at 12:42, Hodges banked the first goal of the game, with Cole Zimmerman on the assist. A second goal soon followed with Hodges netting another at 10:26, assisted by Jonas Rivas and Jordan Passmore.
This only fired the Broncos up more, leading them to bring the score up to 3-0 with 9:30 remaining on the clock, once again at the hands of Hodges who followed through with the fourth shot of the game just 25 seconds later. Assists were by Zimmerman and Scott Stevens on the third goal, and Michael Sam providing a helping hand on the fourth.
Jordan Passmore potted the fifth goal of the game with 6:40 remaining in the second, assisted by Hodges and Stevens. The Warriors finally took the chance to retaliate with 6:15 remaining on the clock, getting them on the scoreboard at 5-1 for the Broncos.
With 2:03 remaining, Hodges landed another shot with the help of Zimmerman and Passmore, before the Warriors got their second and last goal of the game 20 seconds later.
The Broncos left the ice looking much more confident with a four goal lead at 6-2.
At 16:01 in the third, an on-fire Hodges landed his sixth goal of the game, bringing home a 7-2 win against the West Kelowna Warriors.
Broncos goalie Levi Chwartacki also played an outstanding game, stopping 31 of the 33 shots thrown at him, making some great saves in the process.
This win means the second sweep of the playoffs for the Broncos, and advances them into round three against Merritt.
“We’re excited at the opportunity to play in the finals,” says coach Dan Stevens. “We’ve battled hard through the entire playoff and the hard work is paying off.”
