Broncos come back to edge Blades

The Swift Current Broncos scored five of the final six goals in a 5-3 win over the host Saskatoon Blades Friday.

Tyler Steenbergen scored twice, including the eventual game-winner, and now has 49 goals on the campaign. Rookie import Aleksi Heponiemi also had a goal and two assists for the Broncos, who won for the sixth time in their past seven outings.

The Broncos improved to 36-21-4-6 and will finish at least third in the East Division, setting up a first-round meeting with the second-place Moose Jaw Warriors (41-18-7-1) in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Braylon Shmyr had scored twice for a 2-0 Saskatoon lead after one period. Heponiemi and Steenbergen scored in the second period to tie the game 2-2. Conner Chaulk notched his eighth goal of the season early in the third period and Steenbergen counted again to make it 4-2. Evan Fiala cut the Broncos’ lead in half, but Lane Pederson notched a power play goal for the Broncos to restore the two-goal lead.

Taz Burman made 33 saves on 36 shots to get the win. Brock Hamm took the loss with 23 saves on 28 shots.

The Broncos scored twice on four man-advantages, while the Blades connected for one goal on four power play opportunities.

The Broncos and Blades will rematch in Swift Current on Saturday at 7 p.m.