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The Calgary Hitmen were finally on the right side of a one-goal decision.
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And it came at the right time against the right team as they chase a playoff spot.
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Sean Tschigerl had two goals and an assist as the Western Hockey League club rallied to a 4-3 win over the visiting Swift Current Broncos at Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday. Scoring the other Hitmen goals were Riley Fiddler-Schultz — who added two helpers — and Carter Yakemchuk. Brayden Peters made 33 saves in the victory.
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The Hitmen got off to a slow start, trailing 2-0 less than eight minutes into the first period on Broncos goals by Owen Pickering and Grayson Burzynski.
Tschigerl got the home side on the board three minutes into the second. Fiddler-Schultz tied it up 42 seconds into the final frame, Tschigerl put the Hitmen ahead three minutes later, and Yakemchuk provided what proved to be a crucial insurance marker at the time and eventual game-winner just over nine minutes into the third period.
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Matthew Ward cut the Broncos’ deficit with just under six minutes remaining in regulation. But the Hitmen were able to hold on for the win and snap a three-game slide, in which the last two contests were one-goal losses. Those came after the Hitmen dropped four one-goal decisions in early February.
Reid Dyck made 29 saves for the Broncos (28-28-1-2), who occupy the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff position. But the ninth-place Hitmen (25-26-5-3) closed the gap to one point with the win. They also opened a four-point lead on the 10th-place Brandon Wheat Kings (23-28-8-0). All three teams have nine games remaining in their regular seasons.
The Hitmen next face another big test in the second-place Red Deer Rebels (39-17-2-3) in a two-game set next weekend. Friday’s game (7 p.m.) is in Red Deer before Saturday’s contest (2 p.m.) at the Dome.
