Calvin Spencer (photo from scbroncos.com)

The return of a couple of key veterans recently has given the Swift Current Broncos the depth they need to make a renewed push for the playoffs.

Forwards Calvin Spencer and Glenn Gawdin returned to the lineup on the weekend as the Broncos split two games on a tough Alberta road swing.

The team also got veteran Jamal Watson off the injury list the week before and now have as deep a group of forwards as they have had all season.

"A lot more depth in our forwards now," Spencer said. "It really helps us a lot. We can really run four lines now and really rely on guys to step up too."

The Broncos have been struggling to find a dangerous combination of top lines as injuries have impacted them all season long. They now feel they have 

"It's a huge boost," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "We've been depleted for so long. You get real excited to get those guys back and you get a real top six. You get Lane Pederson and Glenn Gawdin up the middle and those two guys are a tough match-up for anybody. You get Spencer on the third line playing his role and he's a heavy player who plays hard."

Spencer scored twice in his first game back last Friday against Red Deer. It was the first two-goal game of his WHL career and allowed him to tie his high in goals at 5 with lots of time left to play this season.

"I've had some chances where I haven't buried," Spencer said. "It felt good to finally put the puck in the net. I do feel a lot more confident and hopefully things start to get rolling here."

In general the Broncos are finding more scoring lately. Despite being one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, the Broncos have managed sixteen goals in their last four games.

"Some guys are getting better," Lamb said. "These guys always could score but they just didn't have the confidence. It's not just throwing it at the net and making shots, they're making plays."

Tonight's match-up against Prince George is a tough one against the third place team in the BC Division just starting their East Division road swing. Prince George is also the highest scoring team in the Western Conference with 176 goals.

The game is a battle of the league's top goal scorers. Jon Martin of the Broncos and Jesse Gabrille of the Cougars each have 31 goals coming into action tonight.

Swift Current is ten points back of Edmonton for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand.

You can hear all the action on The Eagle 94.1 FM at 6:30pm. Puck drop is just after 7pm on The Eagle 94.1 FM.