Broncos make playoffs, will play Regina

The Swift Current Broncos have earned their ticket to the second season.

The process was tougher than expected, but the Broncos clinched their playoff spot on Saturday with a 6-2 win over Lethbridge.

"In a weird way the last week felt pretty good," said Broncos assistant coach Jamie Heward. "There is just something about pressure and stress that can bring out the best in guys. Something about it just made us want it a little bit more coming into this weekend. You could just tell that they all wanted it."

At one point Swift Current had a twelve point lead for the final spot in the WHL East Division and Moose Jaw was able to get as close as two points back. That forced the Broncos to play playoff style hockey in order to secure their position.

"It was a battle right to the end and I give our guys a lot of credit," Heward said. "It was tough but it was fun. I think we're going to be a better team we're going to grow from it. It's been good for us to come down this path."

Dealing with adversity from deficits in games to a slump late in the season could build character for a post-season run.

"We've been in a lot of games this year where we've been down and had to work our way back," said Broncos forward Coda Gordon. "That seven game losing skid was a big learning curve for us. All that leads to the playoffs. I think we'll learn from that and have our best games of the year in the first round."

Brandon also beat Moose Jaw 9-2 so the Broncos would have finished ahead of the Warriors whether they had won or not.

Colby Cave scored twice against Lethbridge to reach 35 goals on the season, while veterans Gordon and Carter Rigby also struck for the Broncos. Linden Penner and Andreas Schumacher had Swift Current's other goals. Jake DeBrusk had three assists and Landon Bow made 22 saves in the win.

The Broncos went 2 for 4 on the power play and have now executed at 43% on the man advantage over their last five games. The penalty kill is also back on track having killed off 12 of 13 power plays against them in the last five games.

"Just keeping it simple," Gordon said. "I think we weren't working hard enough on our power play and our penalty kill too. That was the biggest thing we had to adjust."

The victory sets up a first round series for the Broncos against the Regina Pats. It starts on Friday and Saturday in Regina. The series shifts to Swift Current the following Tuesday and Wednesday. You can hear every game on The Eagle 94.1 FM.

Swift Current also handed out their year-end awards on Saturday. Colby Cave claimed team MVP and the Coach's Award for the second consecutive season. Jake DeBrusk earned the top scorer and fan favourite awards. DeBrusk finished with 42 goals and 81 points to lead the team in both categories.