With three of the top scoring forwards in the WHL out of their lineup the Swift Current Broncos needed someone to step up.

On Saturday night in Red Deer that guy was Max Patterson.

The 18-year-old scored his second of the season in overtime to lift the Broncos 3-2 over the Rebels in overtime.

“It was a nice pass by (Glenn Gawdin),” Patterson said. “He cut up the middle and slowed the D down. I just took it wide and was lucky enough to put it in.”

Patterson drove from the side of the net and cut across the crease before tucking the puck in on Riley Lamb for the win. It was a bounce-back game overall for Patterson who was one of many that had a tough night in a loss to Calgary on Friday.

“He was one of the guys that struggled last night,” said Broncos Associate Coach Ryan Smith. “He knows that and he stepped up. He rebounded with a great game. He was physical, handled the puck, scored a big goal... it was one of his better games with the Broncos.”

With Aleksi Heponiemi, Tyler Steenbergen and Beck Malenstyn all out of the lineup injured, Patterson has had a chance to play with Glenn Gawdin on Swift Current's top line.

“I think I just gotta keep in simple,” Patterson. “We've got a couple of key guys out so we have to step up.”

For players that aren't used to big minutes and tough match-ups it will be a good experience. It will also take some time to adjust.

“The guys that are starting to get some minutes that they haven't seen before you can't expect miracles,” Smith said. “It takes some time, but getting those minutes you're getting opportunities and puck touches.”

Smith was happier with how the Broncos played overall.

“I thought the guys played quite well tonight,” Smith noted. “We were structured. The first period we gave up a few odd man rushes. Other than that we were solid in all ends. It was a good hockey game.”

Red Deer opened the scoring midway through the first period when Gayson Pawlenchuk struck on a wrap-around. It was the first goal for the Rebels in three games.

Swift Current answered late in the period with a Glenn Gawdin power play goal on a nice shot from the left circle for his 26th of the season.

The Broncos pulled ahead in the second period as Matteo Gennaro struck on the power play for his 16th of the season. Both Gennaro and Gawdin had a goal and an assist int he win.

Kristian Reichel drew the Rebels back even on a third period power play as he ripped a slap-shot off the post and in behind Broncos goaltender Joel Hofer. The rookie netminder was solid for Swift Current stopping 27 of 29 Red Deer shots.

“I thought he was solid,” Smith said. “He looked confident. His puck control, rebounds and everything was real good for him from start to finish.”

The Broncos found themselves in overtime for the 8th time in their last 11 games. They've won all but one of those games.

Ben King made his WHL debut for the Broncos. The 15-year-old 2017 first round bantam draft pick was solid in a handful of shifts.

The 21-7-2-0 Broncos remain a point behind Brandon for second place in the WHL Eastern Conference. Swift Current will head to Edmonton on Sunday afternoon to wrap-up an Alberta road swing. Listen live for Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 4:30pm on The Eagle 94.1 FM.