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Landon Bow in goal (Photo by Darwin Knelsen)

The strong play by second-year backup goalie Landon Bow as of late has given the Swift Current Broncos maybe the best one-two punch in the WHL.

Landon Bow had stopped 113 of the last 118 shots he's faced as he has a nearly identical save percentage this season to veteran starter Eetu Laurikainen. He clocks in at 0.917% compared to 0.916% for Laurikainen.

Goalie Coach Derek Purfield noted it's been good to have a bit of a battle in goal.

"Eetu and Landon push each other," he said. "They want starts, but obviously they're really good teammates and really good friends too."

Laurikainen came into the season as the presumed started based on his performance in 2012-13 that left him as one of the top goaltenders in the league. He played 60 games last season as he clearly outperformed the 17-year-old Bow. This season an older and more confident Bow has given the Broncos more reason to spread out the starts.

"You could kind of tell at the end of the season that fatigue was kicking in," Purfield said. "With Landon stepping up we can kind of rest Eetu and get him ready for hopefully a long playoff."

With Laurikainen the base is already there. He is one of the most athletic and mentally strong goaltenders in the league.

"The approach that we're taking this year is more focused on a couple of areas that Eetu and I will work on to get him to the next level," Purfield said. "Puck handling is one... and plays around the net... those two big things would help him get to the next level next season."

"His athleticism is off the charts and the way he goes and prepares for games and even shakes things off when they don't go his way is pretty nice to see."

It's been a huge step up for Bow this season as he has made a 20 point improvement in his save percentage and has an impressive 7-2-0-1 record. He was also recently the WHL's nominee for CHL Goalie of the Week. Those improvements started with a strong focus in practice last season and hard work in the summer.

"He had to compete in practice like they were his games," Purfield said. "Video sessions too... watching other big guys in the NHL and how they play."

Purfield used examples like Mike Smith, Ben Bishop and Carey Price as role models for what Bow could accomplish with his size.

"He hit the gym hard and put on lots of good muscle," Purfield said. "He also worked on flexibility and being a better athlete... just worked on how to be more efficient in the net and using his size more.

"His presence in the net now is just off the charts. Guys are coming down the wing and looking up and seeing this big goalie now with confidence."

Purfield is also excited about the future for the team in goal with both 16-year-old Travis Child and 15-year-old Hunter Lorenson performing well in Alberta Major Midget AAA hockey. Child is 8-0-3 this season for the Sherwood Park Kings with an impressive 2.05 goals against average and 0.923 save percentage.

Whether it's Bow or Laurikainen, the Broncos should have strong goaltending when they host Calgary on Friday. You can hear all the action live on The Eagle 94.1 FM starting with our pre-game show on Friday at 6:30pm.