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Blanke and Grbavac (photo by Darwin Knelson for scbroncos.com)

 Swift Current's Andy Blanke got himself into an early fight of the year candidate over the weekend.

The crowd at the Credit Union iPlex came alive as the Broncos forward battled Medicine Hat Captain Cole Grbavac for over 70 seconds of physicality. One Bronco fan called it the best fight he had seen in three years.

"I didn't think it was going to get going we couldn't get each other's buckets off," Blanke said. "We kept going at it and we didn't want to quit."

Blanke worked out hard in the summer to improve his strength and stamina.

"Body strength, conditioning, everything is better," Blanke said. "(It helps) being able to handle myself better whether it's hitting guys or whatever."

The Broncos won Friday's game 3-2 before losing the re-match 5-0 in Medicine Hat on Saturday. Blanke has five assists and five fights through the first 16 games of the season. He has played recently on a line with Christian Magnus and Shea Howorko.

"I think we're all just doing little things right," Blanke said. "We want to play."

"We're getting pucks deep... we're big along the wall and (Howorko) has some speed down the middle. I think we're gelling."

Swift Current hosts Brandon on Tuesday night. The two clubs have split two overtime games so far this season.

Click here to see the Blanke/Grbavac fight

Interview with Andy Blanke: