Tyler Steenbergen scored to tie and then win the game as the Swift Current Broncos took a wild game in Moose Jaw 7-6 in overtime.



“It's everything a fan would want,” said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. “Lots of goals, lots of hits, right down to the wire with two of the top teams. As a fan I think you like it. As a coach there are some things you don't like and there are some good things. It was an up and down game.”

Steenbergen's goals were his league leading 33rd and 34th at very important times for the Broncos.

“Steener was missing the net earlier in the game,” Smith said. “He had some looks and they got some sticks on him. He made some unbelievable passes tonight too. You lean on your top guys in times like that in overtimes and shootouts. Again... hats off to him.”



Glenn Gawdin also scored twice and had two assists for Swift Current. Aleksi Heponiemi scored and had two assists. The top line combined for 10 points in the victory.

Swift Current got off to a tough start allowing goals to Tristin Langan and Branden Klatt as Moose Jaw's third and fourth lines pulled them ahead early.

“You get a start like that you give up a goal on the first shot,” Smith said. “You're down to a top team 2-0 six minutes in. Right then and there it's a swinging time. If they score the next one it might be 7-0 them. We scored one, we got a power play goal... I like that from our team especially at the start of the game that we kept the game in reach, got back into it and left the first with a lead.”


Matteo Gennaro chases Justin Almeida (photo by Marc Smith)

In what may have been the biggest turning point in a game full of them, new Broncos forward Matteo Gennaro took advantage of an Oleg Sosunov turnover and ripped a beautiful shot by Brody Wilms for his first with Swift Current and 15th of the season. It got the Broncos right back in the game and showed what they are getting from Gennaro.

“Heck of a goal,” Smith said. “Unreal shot. Strong on the puck. Made some plays, skates well and everything we want him to be. Tough situation for him coming in here kind of blind with only one practice under his belt. If that's any indication the sky is the limit for him.”

Heponiemi and Gawdin scored before the end of the period and the Broncos took a 3-2 lead. Tate Popple tied the game on a rebound goal early in the second for Moose Jaw, but then Broncos rookie defenceman Connor Horning blasted a slap shot by Wilms for his first career goal to restore the lead.

Gawdin's second of the game early in the third looked to give Swift Current some cushion. Instead, Tanner Jeannot immediately cut into that lead seconds later to start Moose Jaw on a run. Brayden Burke tied the game and Langan's second of the game gave the Warriors the lead back midway through the third.

Steenbergen got the equalizer with 2:26 left in the third period on great shift from Swift Current's top line that included Colby Sissons hitting the post before the eventual Steenbergen goal. His overtime winner was a great individual effort rushing down the left win before pulling up from behind the net and finding a hole.

Swift Current has now been to overtime in six of their last seven games. They've won five of the seven games.

Heponiemi is riding an 18 game point streak.

Burke was hurt late in the game for Moose Jaw when he appeared to stick his leg out to block a rush by Sissons and ended up being helped to the Warriors dressing room.

The win moved Swift Current to within two points of the the Warriors for first place in the WHL Eastern Conference with a game in hand and the re-match set for Saturday night in Swift Current.

“I would expect a tighter game from both sides,” Smith said. “There's going to be some bad blood there always is. Not that there was anything that happened tonight but there was some heavy hits, some stick on bodies and things like that... those are the kinds of things you expect with two division rivals that are trying to prove to each other who is the best team and right now it's neck and neck. They're two equal teams and they've got a heck of a squad that we respect.”

Saturday's game is also the Teddy Bear Toss in Swift Current. Listen live on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 6:30pm with puck drop just after 7pm at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.