Broncos Ice Gawdin 2
Photo by Darwin Knelsen for scbroncos.com

The surging Swift Current Broncos face one of the top players in the CHL as they welcome Sam Reinhart and the Kootenay Ice to the Credit Union iPlex tonight.

Reinhart was the second overall selection in the 2014 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres and along with injured Broncos defenceman Dillon Heatherington helped Canada to a gold medal at the recent World Junior Championship. He's someone the Broncos have to be very aware of against Kootenay.

"He made a big impact when he first came back we played him," said Broncos assistant coach Jamie Heward. "Since he's come back they've done very well. They were struggling at the start and now are playing good. He's a special player and needs special attention."

Reinhart has 49 points in 35 games this season with the Ice and is supported by a strong cast of forwards like Tim Bozon, Luke Philp and Jaedon Descheneau.

"It's not just going to be on the onus of one guy," Heward said. "You're going to get your D out there you're going to try to get your match-up, but it's going to be a team match-up against a guy like that. Even though you can defend him he's got guys there that can get open."

This is likely the last opportunity Broncos fans will have to see Reinhart before he turns pro.

The Ice have won two out of three games against the Broncos this season and come in with points in their last four games. Meanwhile, the Broncos have secured wins in eight of their last eleven games and are 3-1 on their five game homestand.

"Just coming together and knowing what's at stake right now," said Broncos forward Coda Gordon. "We're pushing to move up in the standings and we're also looking to keep (away) from the guys who are trying to catch us. We just know what is at stake and this barn has a good atmosphere for us. We seem to always battle well in this barn."

Swift Current was 4 for 9 on their power play over the weekend getting out of a funk that had dropped them to the middle of the pack. Gordon was a big part of that as he put up six points over the two weekend games.

"Just work harder," Gordon said. "There's been a lot of times we haven't been working hard just expecting it to come. That's one of the biggest things we've been working on just working hard, getting hard on the puck, making plays and just getting pucks to the net."

Tonight's game is set for just after 7pm but our pre-game show starts at 6:30pm on The Eagle 94.1 FM. The Broncos are then in Saskatoon on Wednesday.