It was a storybook result for Matteo Gennaro.


The 20-year-old forward scored with 21.1 seconds left in regulation as the Swift Current Broncos beat his former team the Prince Albert Raiders 2-1 in Gennaro's 300th WHL game.

“It was a hard fought game,” Gennaro said. “Really tight checking. Not high scoring. The team got it done and it was a pretty special moment for me.”

Sahvan Khaira and Noah King combined to block a shot at one end and turn the play the other way. Khaira set Patterson up on the left zone of the Raiders zone and he fed it back in front for Gennaro to direct in his 18th of the season and game winner.

Gennaro started his career in Prince Albert before deals sent him to Calgary and now Swift Current.

“It's pretty ironic that I'm playing this game against the organization that gave me a start at 16,” Gennaro said. “It was pretty cool how that all unfolded and happy we got the win.”

Despite eleven combined power plays there was only one special teams goal between the teams. Both goaltenders played well and the defenders didn't give up a lot of second chances.

“I felt this was more of a playoff type game,” Gennaro said. “Not a lot of room, trying to keep things simple and get it to the net. I think it was a good game for the development of the team.”

The Broncos went 1 for 7 on the power play including 0 for 5 in the first period, while they held Prince Albert to 0 for 4 all in the second period.

“Exciting end to the game,” said Broncos Associate Coach Ryan Smith. “There were so many power play opportunities in the first two periods and no one capitalized on them. It was odd.. both goalies were good as well. Scott and Flodell were the two best players on the ice.”

Logan Flodell made 34 saves in his second straight strong start for the Broncos. Swift Current also got two assists from Max Patterson who has 3 points in his last 3 games playing on the top line with top players out.

“He's had a good strong stretch here,” Smith said. “He's a big guy taking a while to find his touch, but he's making some plays too. I liked his game tonight. I thought his work ethic was outstanding for the fourth game in five nights. He had high energy, he was physical, he made plays on all the goals... good game from 23 for us.”

With Tyler Steenbergen and Aleksi Heponiemi out of the lineup for Swift Current the Broncos know they will have to make some adjustments on the power play and both aren't expected back until after World Juniors.

“I think judging by tonight,” Smith said. “And we have no time to work on it we play tomorrow. Sometimes you had to simplify it just getting pucks to the net. We've just got to make it work with the guys we put out there and we still have a lot of talent.”

Colby Sissons had Swift Current's lone power play goal on the night on a simple point shot with Patterson providing a screen. Cole Fonstad scored the Prince Albert goal and Ian Scott made 27 saves for the Raiders.

The 28-7-2-0 Broncos play their second last game before the holiday break and fifth in their last six days at home against the Kelowna Rockets tonight.

“Kelowna is a strong team they've always been one of the better teams in the league,” Smith said. “I think the start will be key if we an hit the ground running and put it deep on them and make them go 200 feet. We can't afford to turn it over. Keep it simple early.”

The Rockets won't have Kole Lind, Dillon Dube or Cal Foote as they along with Steenbergen are in Ontario trying out for the Canadian World Juior Championship team.