The script couldn't have been more perfect for a pair of hometown products making their return to Swift Current in their rookie WHL campaigns.

Spokane Chiefs' Reed Jacobson and Mac Gross returned to the Innovation Credit Union iPlex - a venue where they played prominent roles for the Home Hardware Midget AAA Legionnaires over two seasons.

In a Friday-night fight with the Swift Current Broncos, Jacobson and Gross got the better of their hometown team - and friend/former longtime teammate Hendrik de Klerk - in a 5-1 effort.

The jitters of a return to a familiar place packed with friends, family, former teammates, and fans were certainly felt for the two 2002-born prospects.

"There's obviously some nerves, playing in front of the home crowd you're expected to kind of be a good player out there," said Jacobson. "I just kind of played my game, stuck with it, and it worked out for me."

"It's pretty cool, it's special, it's everything you hope for," noted Gross. "It's pretty weird coming in as the visiting team today. Two years as a Legionnaire, you get so used to... like I caught myself trying to go in the Legionnaires room or walking past it. Just things like that, it's funny."

"I knew like half the rink," Gross added.

For Jacobson, the return was elevated with a memorable night on the stat sheet. Jacobson scored the Chiefs' fifth goal and assisted on their third for his second-career multi-point game in the WHL.

"To get that goal, there's no better feeling in front of the home crowd," Jacobson said.

"I guess the rink is my lucky charm," he joked, after a Legionnaires' career that boasted 88 points in 95 games.

The game was also a noteworthy return for a pair of former Broncos who were a part of the team's 2018 WHL Championship.

Head coach Manny Viveiros and overage defenseman Noah King also got to clinch the W in their first stint back at the iPlex.

Viveiros was met with a video tribute and a standing ovation, and got a brief look back at a memory that will last a lifetime.

"First-class - this organization has always been first-class. Incredible, was really emotional for me to watch that. It was real awesome," Viveiros said. "Very thankful for what they did. A special place - these two years here were some of the best years of my life in hockey. The people I had a chance to work with, we're still really good friends, and I have a lot of really good friends in this city - really meant a lot."

Grinding out a victory for their head coach was also an important addition to the return for Jacobson and Gross.

"He's a star here in Swift Current, he won them a championship. To get him a win is a good accomplishment," said Jacobson.

"It's awesome. I watched him for two years here. Just watched him coach and how he treated his guys. Heard nothing but positive things," added Gross.

The feeling was mutual well for the former Broncos' bench boss in regards to a big night for the two local rookies on his roster.

"Couldn't ask for a better script. The two young kids were a little bit nervous today - coming home, a lot of fans and family here," said Viveiros. "So happy for them. Outstanding young men - incredible kids. Just to be around them - so easy to coach, you don't have to worry about them, they're good kids."

Shifting back to the game itself, the Broncos did grind their way to a 1-1 tie through the first 20 minutes, as they looked to keep pace with the playoff-clinching club.

Isaiah DiLaura was a busy goalie in the blue paint for Swift Current as he recorded 49 saves on 54 shots.

The Broncos will be tasked with trying to snap their current 10-game losing streak Saturday night on the road against the Saskatoon Blades.

Viveiros, Jacobson, Gross, and the Chiefs take a 9-1 record in their last 10 games into Medicine Hat Saturday to battle the Tigers.