Glenn Gawdin, Tyler Steenbergen and Aleksi Heponiemi combined for 11 points as the Swift Current Broncos earned a small measure of revenge in Regina with a 5-3 win over the Pats.

Regina had knocked Swift Current out of last season's playoffs in a seven-game second round series.

The Broncos' top line was again dominant and especially on the power play scoring three goals on six opportunities.

“They played together last year,” said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. “They understand each other and they want to score. You give players like that at all levels a chance like that to create... and you could see it took over there in the second period. Not just the goals but a couple other big chances that they had. They created a lot of our offence tonight and a lot of it on the power play.”

That is the second road win for the Broncos against a division rival to start the WHL season.

“Up and down,” Smith said. “There was some players we felt played very well and some didn't. At the end of the day we did enough to win and that's always a good thing.”

The Broncos got off to a hot start as new goaltender Logan Flodell started his team on a 3 on 2 rush that Gawdin finished for his second of the season midway through the first period. The Broncos then built on that lead early in the second period thanks to two more power play goals and impressive passing plays from their top line.

Matt Bradley cut into that lead with a Regina power play goal through traffic, but Colby Sissons quickly restored it on a big one-timer set up by Max Patterson and Logan Barlage.

Bradley struck again late in the period to give the Pats some hope for the third.

Regina closed in even further midway through the third period when Bryce Platt deflected in a point shopt. Bradley had an assist on the goal and now has factored in on six of Regina's eight goals this season.

The Broncos weren't pleased to let Regina back in the game.

“That's something you don't want to get used to is letting them off the hook,” Smith noted. “They played well. They just stuck to a plan, they played hard and got pucks to the net. I liked their game. Like I said I think we did some really good things out there and it was enough for us to get the two points.”

It was the second straight game to start the season in which the Broncos were able to hold a late one-goal lead.

“It's important that you win these kind of games and you close them out properly,” Smith said. “You build a little character with those kinds of wins. You get used to winning those games and you know how to win them. It bodes well for the future as the season goes on.”

Heponiemi made a really nice play from the wall in his own zone to set up Steenbergen to speed by Regina's defenders for an empty-net goal.

Steenbergen scored twice and had two assists, Gawdin had two goals and an assist, while Heponiemi had four assists..

Flodell made 34 saves to get the win in his first start with the Broncos.

“I thought he was really good,” Smith said. “I thought he was solid. He was square to the puck. He becomes a third defenceman on any dumps. I was happy for him. It was his home town, his first game and we couldn't have asked for anything more from him.”

Flodell's puck handling skills were on display on the weekend and that's part of what encouraged the Broncos to acquire him.

“He can play the puck,” Smith said. “He can zip it up into the zone, he can set it for the defenceman and it's a big skill that a lot of goalies don't have. It relieves a lot of the pressure especially on the road when teams are coming at you.”

Some of the ups and downs Smith he attributes to guys not sticking to their game plan.

“I think you're got to stick to the system,” Smith said. “We got a little bit of river hockey going there where we had guys jumping up in rushes, looking and speculating. I don't think that is something we want to get into. We're going to score some goals... but if we stick to our plan that will happen more often. I think game plan framework is important for us at the start of the season.”

The Pats didn't have close to their full lineup still missing guys like Sasm Steel, Jake Leschynshyn, Josh Maura and goalie Tyler Brown. The Broncos won't get another shot at them until January 6.

Swift Current visits Brandon on Saturday. Their home opener is October 7th at the Innovation Credit Union Centre.