Eetu Tuulola scored in overtime lifting the Everett Silvertips over the Swift Current Broncos 3-2 in a playoff style game at the Credit Union iPlex.

“It was a great game,” said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. “It was real exciting right to the bitter end. We were pretty happy with our performance, our effort was there... it's a very good team across the way. It had a playoff feel to it.”

Glenn Gawdin scored twice for Swift Current as they came from down 2-1 in the third period to force overtime against the US Division leading Silvertips.

“I thought we played really hard tonight,” said Broncos defenceman Max Lajoie. “We stayed in it for the whole 60. It was a hard fought game we just have to come out on top next time.”

Swift Current got off to a really goood start as Riley Stotts blocked a shot and had a breakaway broken up by a slash. On the ensuing delayed penalty Gawdin struck for his 20th of the season and the Broncos had an early lead.

“I've liked his game for the last two months since he's been back,” Smith said. “He's our leader, he's our captain, he gets in on the forecheck, he scores goals, he wins draws, he blocks shots and there's nothing I don't like about his game right now. He's been everything that a captain could be.”

The game stayed pretty even throughout the night. Everett tied it on a Noah Juulsen power play goal midway through the second period. Swift Current pushed hard to regain the lead and couldn't solve goaltender Carter Hart despite 15 second period shots.

“I thought we matched up really well,” Lajoie said. “At times we dominated them. At times they put us on our heels a little bit. I thought we played a really good game and we were in it the whole time.”

A Devon Skoleki goal midway through the third period gave the Silvertips their first lead of the night. The Broncos didn't panic despite being down against the stingiest team and goaltender in the WHL.

“Just tried to keep playing our game,” Lajoie said. “We kept the puck in deep and just got on their D. It caused turnovers so we just wanted to stick to our game and it worked out.”

On a late 6 on 5 with the goalie pulled Gawdin deflected in Lajoie's point shot and the Broncos were able to force overtime.

“I think we stayed patient,” Smith said. “We made sure we didn't give up that third goal. We talked about getting pucks to the net and that's exactly how we scored that goal. We wanted to create some problems, put pucks towards the night and hopefully get a bounce.”

Tuulola's goal came just after Swift Current felt like the officiating missed a penalty call when Aleksi Hepniemi was interfered with on a scoring chance. Several fans also felt that Lukas Skrumeda was in offside on the goal. Either way Tuulola finished off a 2 on 1 to give his team their fifth win out of six games on their East Division trip.

Taz Burman made 30 saves for Swift Current in a losing cause.

“He had a good game,” Smith said. “He made the saves when we needed him to. He gave us a chance.”

In a tough week with three games in four days all against different division leaders the Broncos finished with a close loss to Regina, a win over Medicine Hat and the overtime loss to Everett. Three of a possible six points wasn't ideal, but it also serves as a sign the Broncos can play competitively with those top teams.

“Besides the first period against Regina I thought we played quite hard,” Smith said. “We knew what we were facing this week. All three teams present different problems and I think we dealt with it. The competition we faced and the way we faced it was what we wanted to see. For us a staff we know now what we still need to improve on, but the effort was there.”

The Broncos were able to do that while still missing Lane Pederson day-to-day to injury.

Attendence was strong all week improving to a strong 2367 people on Saturday night.

Swift Current's next action ins in Regina on Friday, Moose Jaw on Saturday and then Regina again on Sunday.