Aleksi Heponiemi snapped a long skid for the Swift Current Broncos with his overtime winner against Tri-City last night.



Swift Current hadn't won a game in a US Division rink since November 26th, 2011 in Everett. That includes twelve straight losses and two 0-5 trips in 2013-14 and 2015-16.

This Broncos team seems better constructed for a long road swing with a road record of 14-5-2-0.

"The two points for us was key to get off to a good start on this five game trip," said Broncos Associate Coach Ryan Smith. "I thought the first period we did a good job established our game early and got a two goal lead."

Swift Current started strong killing an early 5 on 3 before going on the attack. Heponiemi out-battled two American defencemen to set up Matteo Gennaro for his 30th goal of the season. He then converted a Kaden Elder pass for a 2-0 lead late in the first period.

"He was very good tonight he created a lot of chances," Smith said. "I thought Estephan and Elder made a really nice play on his first goal. His second one his skill and his patience takes over. Best players rise to the occasion and I thought he was really good tonight."



Heponiemi extended his point streak to 25 games which is the longest streak in the WHL since the mid-90s.

The Broncos didn't feel like they carried that strong early play into the later stages of the game as the Americans chipped away at their lead and forced overtime.

"We didn't defend we played like summer league," Smith said. "The second and the third were not good for us at all. We were careless with the puck, careless with our positioning and penalties hurt us again. We were not happy with our second and third but managed to get through it with the win."

Swift Current was again at a major disadvantage in terms of special teams opportunities. The Broncos went 0 for 1 on their power play, while Tri-City went 1 for 5. While the calls didn't go their way in the game, the Broncos are still working on trying to stay out of the box more than they have recently.

"I think you've got to be aware of when your stick gets up around hands," Smith said. "Penalties going to hard to the net you don't want to tell your guys not to go to those areas. After the whistle stuff we can't afford those. It's just bearing down and make sure we don't take those types of penalties... making sure the penalties are done for the right reasons."

Stuart Skinner was strong again for Swift Current stopping 24 of 26 Tri-City shots. The Broncos fired 40 shots on Americans netminder Patick Dea.

The win moved the Broncos to within 8 points of Moose Jaw for top spot in the WHL with a game in hand.

Up next on the US Division road swing is a date in Portland on Friday.

"One of the better teams," Smith said. "They've got some high powered offence. Some guys that can really scoot and score. We're looking forward to it. It's three-in-three against very good teams."

The Broncos head to Portland on Friday, Seattle on Saturday and Everett on Sunday.

Listen live to all three games on The Eagle 94.1 FM. Friday's broadcast of Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey begins at 8:30pm.