Jon Martin (photo by Darwin Knelsen for scbroncos.com)

The Swift Current Broncos will likely have recent history on their minds as they welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings to the Credit Union iPlex tonight.

It was only a few weeks ago when the two clubs met most recently and Brandon handed Swift Current an 8-0 loss on their home ice.

"You would hope after they gave us an 8-0 licking there would be some thought process that can't happen again," said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. "That wasn't that long ago. They came in here and really gave it to us in one of the few games this year we didn't have a lot going on. For lack of a better word they embarrassed us on our home ice."

This is the sixth meeting of the season between the two clubs and the Broncos have won two of the previous five.

"We know what to expect," Smith said. "If you're going to make mistakes, not be in the right spots and not be ready to go these skilled, high end teams are going to pick you apart."

Tonight's game against Brandon and Saturday's against Kamloops are the final games for the Broncos before a quick holiday break. They'd love to go into that time off on a winning note.

"We'd love to end going into the holidays with a couple of wins," Smith said. "If we could do that and win four of our last five we'd be pretty satisfied."

Swift Current had traditionally been a much better team on home ice than on the road. That's something they are hoping to nail down this weekend.

"We're a better team at home with the crowd here," said forward Jake DeBrusk. "You always want to go into the Christmas break with a good feeling. Personally I'm just looking forward to getting back to my game... and get some wins."

DeBrusk has been battling to get back to 100% in eight games since returning from a month out with a lower body injury he sustained from blocking a Joe Hicketts shot. It wasn't just the injury that made getting back to form difficult.

"Just before my injury I thought I played my best hockey," DeBrusk said. "It's tough the injury I had I literally sat out for a whole month and did absolutely nothing. I came back pretty quick and kind of got chucked into the fire and I've really been feeling it. It's been tough but I'm starting to get back to my old self again and that's good."

DeBrusk continues to be the source of consistent trade rumours which have been slowed somewhat by the WHL Christmas roster freeze. If there's anything to the speculation this weekend's games could be two of the final chances Swift Current fans have to see DeBrusk in a Broncos jersey.

The Broncos are inviting fans to wear ugly Christmas sweaters tonight to be part of a contest to win a team jersey.

Our broadcast starts live on The Eagle 94.1 FM at 6:30pm. Puck drop is just after 7pm at the Credit Union iPlex.