Ryley Lindgren led the way with a hat trick as the Swift Current Broncos evened their series against the Moose Jaw Warriors with a 5-2 win on home ice.

“We came out slow yesterday and weren't our best,” Lindgren said. “Today we focused on working hard and wanting it more than them. I think we came out and really crashed the net. That's something we wanted to do is throw pucks in his feet and get there.”

Tyler Steenbergen scored twice for Swift Current including a late empty-net goal and Jordan Papirny made 30 saves in the win.

The Broncos got off to a hot start with two goals from Lindgren in the first 2:04 of the game. First he let a shot go from the top left circle that snuck by Zach Sawchenko. He then finished off a nice rush by Kole Gable on the rebond.

“Obviously we had a couple good bounces in the first couple shifts there,” Lindgren said. “That's super exciting but at the same time we have to stay level. I think we did a good job of that not getting too high or too low and came out with the win in the end.”

Tyler Steenbergen added to the lead as the Broncos grabbed the first three-goal lead of the series.

It was another sold out crowd at the Credit Union iPlex and that pushed the Broncos to their strong first period.

“The energy in the building,” said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. “We didn't use that last night. Maybe we're not used to it. Our fans were great last night and they were better tonight. You get a goal in the first minute and that set the tone. Just shooting pucks to the net and playing straight forward.”

Swift Current started taking penalties as the period went on and had to carry an Aleksi Heponiemi high sticking double minor into the second frame. Moose Jaw was able to strike twice on the power play early in the second period as Brett Howden and Josh Brook closed the game to 3-2.

“We know they're going to push,” Lindgren said. “We knew that was coming. They've been coming all series and they've been pushing back. They way we responded was unbelievable. I'm so proud of the group we have here. (Jordan Papirny) in net has been unbelievable for us.”

The Warriors went 2 for 6 on the power play on the night, but the Broncos had some timely kills and have stopped 10 of their 12 power plays in the series.

“A lot of kudos has to go to our penalty kill as well,” Lindgren said. “Shot blocks and the little things don't go u n-noticed. You hear the crowd cheering for that as much as a goal. It's super exciting to see that and all our guys buying in wanting to win for each other.”

The Broncos didn't wilt as the Warriors chipped away at their lead. They held firm for the next 38 minutes and protected that lead.

“You want to watch yourself when you get off to such a good start,” Smith said. “They made the most of it on the power play and that got them back in the game. I thought the second period we started to play heavy. You had to be going out there and I think our team was. So were they. There's not much between the two teams, but our guys responded well in a very desperate situation for us.”

The Broncos kept the Warriors away from their net late in the game and drew a couple of late Moose Jaw penalties as they pushed for late insurance goals. Steenbergen got his second of the game and fourth of the series to put the game away, while Lindgren completed his hat trick on a final minute power play.

“It's nice but at the end of the day, I know this sounds cliche, but the win feels a lot better,” Lindgren said. “We got a good group in there and I'm super proud of us, but at the same time there's a lot of work to be done.”

It's a fun playoff run for Lindgren and Papirny who started their careers together with Brandon and will finish their WHL career in Swift Current. The veteran forward has been impressed by the way their netminder steps up in the post-season.

“Obviously me and Paps are pretty close here,” Lindgren said. “He's been really good throughout the regular season, but in the playoff he's a monster. He steps his game up to a whole other notch.”

Zach Sawchenko made 20 saves on 24 Swift Current shots in a losing cause. Brayden Burke and Jayden Halbgewachs each had two assists on the night.

The two teams meet again on Friday in Moose Jaw for game five and a guaranteed game six on Saturday in Swift Current. Tickets go on sale for Saturday's game at 9:00am on Thursday.