Lane Pederson scored twice and Jordan Papirny made 34 saves as the Swift Current Broncos defeated the host Moose Jaw Warriors 2-1 Friday to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final series.
After a scoreless opening frame, Lane Pederson notched his first goal of the series 3:25 into the second period. Pederson made it 2-0 with his second career playoff goal with 5:57 remaining in the period. The two-goal cushion was short-lived when Brett Howden scored a power play goal for the Warriors with 2:38 remaining in the period for a 2-1 Swift Current lead heading into the final frame.
The Broncos only managed one shot on net in the third period, but Papirny stopped all 10 shots he faced to clinch the win. Papirny improved to 3-2 in the post-season, while Zach Sawchenko made 20 saves on 22 shots in the loss.
Pederson had been held without a goal during his first 13 playoff games with the Seattle Thunderbirds and Broncos, but now has four points in five games in the series.
The Broncos will look to close out the series in game six on Saturday in Swift Current.
