Aleksi Heponiemi scored with 2:25 to go in the third period as the Swift Current Broncos beat the Moose Jaw Warriors 2-1 in front of a sold out crowd.

The Broncos won their final regular season home game in what was in some ways a playoff preview between two clubs that will meet in the WHL playoffs starting next Friday.

"It was a pretty good hockey game," said Broncos assistant coach Jamie Heward. "From a coaching staff it's hard to be in these games because you never know what you're going to get. For the most part we were happy."

Swift Current fans will also be holding their breath after an injury in the first period knocked top forward Lane Pederson out of the game. His status remains up in the air and he likely won't play in Saturday's regular season finale in Moose Jaw.

Taz Burman made 34 saves to secure the win for Swift Current in his sixth straight start with Jordan Papirny out sick. Zach Sawchenko stopped 21 shots for Moose Jaw in a losing cause.

Matt Sozanski opened the scoring for the Warriors midway through the first period after Noah Gregor's shot took a funny hop off the glass behind the net and bounced right to him.

Glenn Gawdin tied the game for the Broncos 5:58 into the second period with his 26th of the season after a nice feed across the crease by Tyler Steenbergen.

"Fast paced and heavy game," Gawdin said. "That's what we expected. Thats their style and it's our style. Physicality, speed and all that is what is going to win us the series."

Both teams had some good chances before Heponiemi won the game by taking advantage of a Moose Jaw turnover late in the game.

Lindgren had two assists for Swift Current.

Both teams went 0 for 3 on the man advantage. They will play again Saturday night to wrap up the regular season before starting the playoffs next Friday in Moose Jaw.

The Broncos also handed out their annual regular season awards naming captain Glenn Gawdin Team MVP. Gawdin and Max Lajoie were co-winners of the coach's choice award.