Broncos Start Key Home & Home with Regina

Any chance at a WHL East Division crown for the Swift Current Broncos will likely rest on the home and home series they have with the Regina Pats this week.

"Obviously these games are huge," said Broncos forward Coda Gordon. "It's going to be pretty much the deciding factor in who finishes in the top of our division... especially with them up we need these points. If we want to move up and make a push these two are probably the most important games this year."

The Pats beat Lethbridge 8-0 on Tuesday to pull eight points ahead of Swift Current the division lead. The Broncos have held the edge in the season series by winning all four games.

"You look at the past games against Regina and we've had a lot of success," said Broncos Coach and GM Mark Lamb. "They're must wins if we want to want to finish second (in the conference)."

Being at home could be a boost for the Broncos as well. They are able to control the match-ups and find a way to counter a dangerous Regina top six.

"I think home ice advantage will be big for us," Gordon said. "They're got a lot of skilled forwards and their D are pretty solid. Just winning our match-ups is our biggest thing. We've been pretty good with them so far. They've got a lot of skill so as long as we can kind of shut down their power play we'll do pretty well."

They also have to be ready for an aggressive Regina attack. The Pats kept the Broncos hemmed in their zone for much of the first half of the last game between the two teams with a heavily pinching defence. 

"Just make sure we get it out on the wall," Gordon said. "Once we get it we have guys driving and sometimes that leads to odd man rushes. That's been our main focus. We know that they're pinching every time. They're coming down so just trying to be ready before the play happens, make a smart play and just have the guys cutting up the middle."

"It's all about making a play," Lamb said. "You know what to expect. They're going to be coming and it's up to the person with the puck to make the right play. A pressure game is fine, but if you can make plays against pressure you can get a lot of outnumbered rushes."

Regina is known for a skilled forward group. Lamb always recognized that, but finds in analyzing the Pats lately that their success is coming from improvement between the pipes and on the back end. That includes the trade deadline addition of goaltender Daniel Wapple from Medicine Hat.

"Since they've got Wapple he's probably been their most valuable player," Lamb said. "It makes those other guys score. Their third line has had a lot of chemistry. When you're winning hockey it has to do with a lot of things. A big thing for them is their goaltending and their defence."

Swift Current should have their own trade deadline acquisition back in the lineup against Regina. Nathan Burns has missed the last three games with an upper body injury and is slated to draw back in on Wednesday night.

"It's just such a big hole," Lamb noted. "He's a big guy that can win face-offs, plays our power play, he's been such a big addition to our penalty kill and an overall leader that's been through the grind and been through the Memorial Cup. It's an overall position that we were really lacking."

During what has been an inconsistent stretch for Swift Current part of their issue has been getting out of the gate slowly. They had solid first periods in both Edmonton and Red Deer over the weekend. It's an area they hope they are getting control of.

"We've had a lot of talks about it obviously," Gordon said. "Trying not to come back in games which is why we're focusing on our starts more. I think just slowly it's coming along. Preparation is a huge part of it. Guys are just focusing in more and being ready for the start of the game is key."

While eight points back of the division lead, the Broncos come into the game sixth in the conference and six points up on ninth place Red Deer as they attempt to hold at least a playoff position. They'll visit Regina on Friday before hosting Lethbridge on Saturday and Brandon on Sunday.

All-time Broncos scoring leader Todd Holt is expected to be in attendance for Wednesday night's game at the Credit Union iPlex.

You can hear it on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Pioneer Co-op Home Centre Broncos Hockey at 6:30pm. Puck drop is 7:05pm.