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The Swift Current Broncos gather on the ice after Friday night's game (Photo: Darwin Knelsen)

The Swift Current Broncos were on home ice for the last time this season, losing 5-3 to the Saskatoon Blades in front of a large crowd at the Credit Union iplex last night.

It was the last home game for overage players Taylor Vause, Brad Hoban and Jon Groenhyede. Vause opened the scoring for the Broncos with his 37th of the season in the first period, then set up Hoban's milestone 20th goal and 50th point in the second period. Reece Scarlett had the other Broncos goal, while Groenhyede made 24 saves, as the Broncos outshot the Blades 33-29.

The Blades were led by a pair of goals from Josh Nicholls, and Nick Zajac, Matej Stransky and Connor Cox had a goal each. Blades' goalie Andrey Makarov made 30 stops in his net.

The Broncos held their year-end awards ceremony before the game, with captain Taylor Vause picking up a team-leading eight awards. The list of award winners follows:

  • Tom Ham Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman) - Reece Scarlett
  • Pioneer Co-op Trophy (Most improved Player) - Richard Nedomlel
  • RBC Financial Group Award (Chairman of the Boards) - Andy Blanke
  • Standard Motors Award (Rookie of the Year) - Coda Gordon
  • Trophy Towne Award (Most Sportsmanlike) - Brad Hoban
  • Gord May Memorial (Top Scholastic Achievement) - Andy Blanke
  • Three Stars Award (sponsored by Precision Well Servicing) - 1) Jon Groenhyede, 2) Brad Hoban, 3) Ryon Moser
  • Innovation Credit Union Coaches Award - Adam Lowry
  • MacBean Tessem Trophy (Top Scorer) - Taylor Vause
  • Warren's Funeral Home Award (Leadership and Maturity) - Taylor Vause
  • Swift Current Hockey Hounds Award (Humanitarian of the Year) - Taylor Vause
  • Barker's Jewellery Award (Fan's Most Popular) - Taylor Vause
  • Charlotte Letkenam Memorial Award (Desire and Sportsmanship) - Taylor Vause
  • JayDee AgTech Award (King of the Road)  - Taylor Vause
  • Western Financial group Award (Player's Most Popular) - Taylor Vause
  • Julie Forst Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player) - Taylor Vause

The Broncos wrap up the season in Saskatoon tonight with a 7:05pm face-off from Credit Union Centre. The game coverage on the Eagle 94.1 starts at 6:30pm.

Highlights from Friday's game on the Eagle 94.1:



Shawn Mullin talks with graduating players Jon Groenhyede, Taylor Vause and Brad Hoban during the post-game show on the Eagle:



Shawn and Terry Pavely talked with Broncos Assistant Coach Andy Schneider: