A series full of ups and downs between the Swift Current Broncos and Regina Pats is going to take the full seven games to decide.

Swift Current seemed like they had control in Game 6 with a 3-1 lead late into the second period. That's when the explosive Pats did what they have done all year and turned the game on a dime with four unanswered goals for a 5-3 win to stave off elimination.

“Took over a little bit in the second and then fell asleep in the last couple minutes of the second,” said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. “That carried on to the third. You give the best team in the country these kinds of opportunities, you let them off the hook and it's going to come back to bite you.”

Arthur Miller and Glenn Gawdin scored early in the second period for Swift Current as the Broncos looked to be in position to close the series out. That's when Regina scored twice in 59 seconds late in the period before striking twice more early in the third.

“We let off the gas for about ten minutes,” Miller said. “They scored four unanswered goals on us and that's what happened. It's playoff hockey you've got stay on the gas pedal the whole 60 minutes no matter what happens.”

Regina's second line led the way in the game as Wyatt Sloboshan, Filip Ahl and Austin Wagner combined for nine points in the win.

The comeback started when Sam Steel wrapped around behind the Broncos net and had the puck bounce in off defenceman Josh Mahura. Only 59 seconds later Mahura's slap shot was re-directed behind Jordan Papirny by Sloboshan.

The Pats then caught a break early in the third period when a dump-in deflected off the stanchion and bounced in front of the Swift Current net for a goal by Wagner. The bounces continued to go Regina's way as Kaden Elder hit a post for Swift Current before Ahl ripped his first of the playoffs by Papirny for the 5-3 Regina lead.

The Broncos felt they slipped out of their game plan and allowed the Pats to change the momentum.

“You've just got to try to stay with the plan,” Smith said. “There's no miracle or special play to draw up. You've got to stay with what brought you success earlier in the game. I think we got away from that. We got a little loose and soft on pucks. I don't know if we thought they were going to go away. The pressure on the moment sometimes gets to these kids. They're kids too. These kinds of games are tough on everybody.”

Pats goaltender Tyler Brown was a key in the second period as he stopped five or six excellent Swift Current scoring chances including a Gawdin breakaway that could have extended the lead.

“You always want to keep scoring,” Smith said. “We had a couple quick ones and a couple opportunities after. Tip my hat to him he was good for them tonight. If he doesn't hold them in there maybe it gets away from them.”

Regina had actually opened the scoring on the night as Ahl got the puck to Wagner in the Swift Current slot. Wagner scored twice in the game after being the subject of controversy for his major kneeing penalty in Game 5 that didn't result in any further suspension.

Artyom Minulin answered for Swift Current on a point shot into traffic that found a way behind Brown for a 1-1 game after the first period.

Swift Current was without Lane Pederson on the night due to an injury sustained on a Dawson Leedahl hit in Game 5. The Broncos promoted Arthur Miller to a line with Gawdin/Tyler Steenbergen line and he delivered a goal and an assist.

“(Pederson) was a big key so we needed guys to step up,” Miller said. “Coach put me on the first line and I had to step up and I did. Playing with Gawdin and Steenberge they make things happen.”

Miller gave the Broncos their first lead of the game driving the net and converting the rebound of a Gawdin shot. He then helped set up Gawdin's goal less than two minutes later.

Gawdin finished the game with points on all three Broncos goals.

Swift Current outshot Regina 37-28 in the loss. Their 3-1 series lead has now evaporated as both teams not face elimination in Monday's Game 7.

“Our backs are against the wall now,” Smith said. “Now we're even-steven and it's a one game winner take all. Hats off to them for coming back, but we did good things to get up in the series. It's been a battle for six games and it will be a battle in game seven.”

The Broncos have experience in this situation as they missed an opportunity to close their first round series with Moose Jaw in a Game 6 on home ice. Swift Current then promptly won that Game 7 on the road and will have to do that again to keep their season alive.

“It's playoff hockey there's going to be ups and downs,” Smith said. “You can't get too up and you can't get too down. Good teams make it work for them whether they're at home or on the road. They drop the puck the same way in Regina s they do in Swift Current.”

Now that Regina has won two straight games to extend the series they will be the favourites back on their home ice for Game 7. That won't phase Swift Current.

“Everybody is counting us out,” Miller said. “We have proven to ourselves and everyone else we can beat this team. We're going to Regina looking for a win. They haven't faced any adversity at all. That's all we're about is character and adversity. It's going to be a good Game 7 on Monday.”