The Swift Current Broncos know what it felt like to have their home opener spoiled after Saskatoon beat them on Friday.

A determined Broncos group returned the favour today with a 6-0 victory over the Blades.

Aleksi Heponiemi led the way with 4 assists, while linemates Tyler Steenbergen and Calvin Spencer each had 2 goals and an assist.

Travis Child made 28 saves to earn his first WHL shutout and help new coach Manny Viveiros to his first WHL regular season win.

The start of the game was delayed by over twenty minutes for a ceremony honouring Gordie Howe on what the Blades had dubbed Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day.

Howe passed away this year and he and his wife Colleen's ashes will be interned at the Sasktel Centre.

The ceremony included Howe's children and other hockey luminaries like Val Marie's own Bryan Trottier.

Saskatoon had some chances to build on the atmosphere that celebration created with three power play chances in the first period. Child and the penalty killing units worked together to close that door before the Broncos could find their scoring touch.

Steenbergen opened the scoring for the Broncos converting a quick Heponiemi feed with a great shot over Brock Hamm's shoulders.

Brandan Arnold then added to the lead skating down the wing and firing a low shot to the far side of the Saskatoon net with only six seconds left in the first period.

Swift Current built on that lead in the second period as Spencer battled home a rebound to make it 3-0 in the second period. Child was also called upon a few times to make big saves including a partial break for Braylon Shmyr.

The Broncos pulled away in the third period on goals by Steenbergen, Tyler Adams and Spencer.

Swift Current went 2 for 5 on the power play while holding Saskatoon to 0 for 5. They only allowed a single goal on twelve Blades power plays this weekend.

Next up for the Broncos is a busy weekend starting Friday in Prince Albert, Saturday at home and Sunday in Brandon. You can listen to all three games live on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Robertson Family Group  Broncos Hockey thirty minutes before puck drop.