Jay Merkley continues to pay big dividends for the Swift Current Broncos, counting two points, including the eventual game winner, in leading the Broncos to a 3-1 win over the visiting Prince Albert Raiders.
Merkley converted a rebound of a Graham Black shot for his 16th goal of the season and second goal in two games since joining the Broncos in a trade deadline deal with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The 17-year-old also drew an assist on the game's opening goal by Black, helping Swift Current open a 1-0 first period advantage.
The lone Prince Albert goal came off the stick of Josh Morrissey who scored his 10th of the season 1:09 into the middle period to tie the game at 1-1 after 40 minutes.
Colby Cave added an insurance goal in the dying seconds, with Adam Lowry drawing an assist on the empty net goal. The point allowed Lowry to extend his current point streak to a league high 19 games.
Broncos import goaltender Eetu Laurikainen turned aside 43 of 44 shots to improve his season record to 15-15-2-2. Prince Albert netminder Luke Siemens gave up two goals on 32 shots and falls to 23-12-0-3 on the year.
Swift Current pulled back to the .500 mark at 20-20-3-2 with their third straight win, moving them into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings and two points up on the seventh place Saskatoon Blades.
Prince Albert drops to 25-15-0-3 but remain a top the East Division standings, eight points up on Swift Current.
