Broncos win in Lethbridge, playoff race comes down to Saturday

The Swift Current Broncos are closer to the finish line after a 5-3 win over Lethbridge on Friday night.

They're now one point away from making the post-season after Moose Jaw beat Brandon 7-6 in the shootout to keep pace two points back of the Broncos for the final playoff spot in the East Division with one game left on the schedule.

“It's amazing you think of 72 games and all along the way how important one point becomes,” Broncos associate Coach Josh Dixon noted. “We're going to find out all about that.”

Jake DeBrusk scored a hat trick and added an assist to lead the way for Swift Current. The sophomore hit the 40 goal mark and moved all the way up to 42 with an elite level performance against the Hurricanes.

“Boy was he ever on his game tonight,” said Broncos associate coach Josh Dixon. “Just unbelievable the chances that he got, the speed, the finish... that third goal boy was it ever special. His speed really showed, his playmaking, the opportunities he was able to create in all situations.”

Jay Merkley had a goal and an assist, while Colby Cave added two assists on a top line that was clicking. They had a great scoring chances on a DeBrusk breakaway ten seconds into the game that Stuart Skinner stopped before Lethbridge actually took an early lead.

“You couldn't have asked for a better start which you wouldn't assume so looking at the scoresheet,” Dixon said. “We had a number of Grade A scoring chances all alone and unfortunately they took the lead.”

“It was real good example of our group being able to remain come, be resilient, be mentally strong and more importantly stay the course. We didn't need to panic. We did a good job responding early in the second period and ultimately change the game around.”

Landon Bow made some big saves early in the game before allowing tough goals by Mike Winther and Giorgio Estephan. He then locked things down the rest of the way with a very solid 43 save effort for the victory.

“The most important thing was Landon was able to stay in, regain his composure and make some just terrific saves in the second period,” Dixon said. “Key timely saves that really allowed us to continue on that run.”

The Broncos broke out offensively with a DeBrusk power play goal early in the second period and struck three more times to take a 4-2 lead heading into the third. Andreas Schumacher's deflection goal stood up as the eventual game winner as he stepped from the press box to the second line and delivered a solid performance.

DeBrusk gave Swift Current a 5-2 lead in the third before Jamal Watson closed the gap again for some tense moments down the stretch. The Broncos held on and pushed themselves closer to a first round playoff series with Regina.

They can lock up that spot with a win over an overtime loss at home against the Hurricanes on Saturday night. While confident after their win, they saw how dangerous Lethbridge can be with their speed.

“I certainly think our forecheck in the neutral zone could do a better job handling their speed,” Dixon added. “Watson had a few really good chances and (Tyler) Wong had some good chances as well where we weren't able to make contact in the netural zone. That's an area we can clean up. We are still giving up some chances off the rush and we'd like to be a little bit stronger.”

Saturday's game is the latest in a series of biggest games of the year with the pressure squarely on Swift Current's shoulders. They know their opportunity is in their hands.

“At the end of the day we recognize that we're in control of our own fate,” Dixon said. “If anything playing at home gives us some more confidence because we get the match-ups we want and we can continue to have success where we've played well all year.”

The only scenario on Saturday that wouldn't put the Broncos in the playoffs would be a Swift Current regulation loss coupled with a Moose Jaw win in Brandon. That result would create the need for a one-game playoff between the Warriors and Broncos.

Saturday's home game is Fan Appreciation Night and the Broncos are encouraging fans to wear jerseys to what is expected to be a lively night at the Credit Union iPlex. The Broncos will hand out their year-end awards before puck drop.

You can hear the game on The Eagle 94.1 FM starting with our pre-game show at 6:30pm.