Broncos' top line shuts down Point & Warriors

The Swift Current Broncos went power vs. power against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday night and won.

They matched up their top scoring line of Glenn Gawdin, Jon Martin and Jake DeBrusk against Warriors star Brayden Point and kept his line contained.

Gawdin scored twice and had an assist, Martin had a goal and a helper and DeBrusk chipped in two assists as they also contributed all the offense Swift Current would need in a 3-0 victory.

"It was a solid 60 minutes," said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. "It was a big challenge. Point is one of the best players in junior hockey. There's not many nights you can shut those guys down. I thought we did a real good job of pushing them to the outside. We popped Point a couple of times, we popped (Dryden) Hunt a couple of times... I don't think we did that on Wednesday."

The Broncos fell 6-1 in Moose Jaw on Wednesday and after a 3-2 overtime loss in Lethbridge on Friday got a chance to bounce back against the Warriors on Saturday.

"There was some built up anger I guess you could say," said Broncos forward Cavin Leth. "We really wanted to prove to them we're not that team that they can walk all over. We had a good first period got some shots on the goalie tested him early. The second period we took it to the next level."

The first period was more of a feeling out process as both teams limited their mistakes and didn't give up many chances. The Broncos were able to break it open with a goal early in the second period as Martin put home the Gawdin rebound for his WHL leading 13th goal of the season.

Swift Current pulled ahead midway through the period when Leth went through two players in the neutral zone and battled a puck from the corner to Martin who set Gawdin up for his 3rd of the season.

"I wanted to get the puck deep to get a chance and start the forecheck ," Leth said. "You have to have a never quit attitude. You've got to go in there and win the battle."

The Broncos then added some insurance as Gawdin deflected in a Max Lajoie point shot midway through the third period. It was as strong a game as Gawdin has played at both ends of the ice in his WHL career.

"He was probably the best player on the ice," Smith said. "He played a 200 foot game. Matching up with Point he's aware. He's a really smart player he realizes when to go and when not to go. He was really good positions on Point defensively. Offensively those guys are going to find the net if you give them enough chances."

Landon Bow made 25 saves for his second shutout of the season. He stopped 62 of the 65 shots he faced over the weekend.

Another part of that match-up against Point's line was the strong play of Artyom Minulin and Lajoie on the blue line. The young defencemen were solid at both ends of the ice in the victory.

"(Minulin)'s stick is one of the best I've ever seen," Smith said. "It's always in the righ place. He deflects pucks, he forces people to the outside and he's got that long reach. Him and Max played an outstanding game. When you're playing against top guys you keep things simple and make smart plays."

It was an almost penalty free game as the Broncos went 0 for 1 on the power play and Moose Jaw didn't get an opportunity on the man advantage.

Swift Current has almost a week off before hosting Saskatoon on Friday. They're in Prince Albert for a Halloween game on Saturday.