The Calgary Hitmen scored twice in thirty seconds early in the third period on the way to a 3-2 win over Swift Current on Saturday night.

Calgary and Swift Current split a home-and-home after a 3-2 Broncos overtime win on Friday.

The Broncos had a 2-1 lead through the second period of play and couldn't hold on or force overtime.

“It was a tough pill to swallow when you're up in the third period on the road by one,” Smith said. “You could see there was some tired people out there. Both teams were tired. We just didn't generate enough shots on net.”

Click here for highlights of Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey on The Eagle 94.1 FM

Both teams at times seemed low on energy coming off an overtime game in Swift Current on Friday night that the Broncos won and the bus trip to Calgary.

The Broncos are also dealing with several key injuries and the top players they have left have been carrying a big load throughout their last five games.

“This is hockey,” Smith said. “You don't get a lot of days off. The travel, the physical play, the mental part of it... it wears you down. Tonight I think it was a combination of all those and unfortunately we came out on the wrong side of the scoresheet.”

Click here for the full interview with Broncos Associate Coach Ryan Smith

Swift Current struck first shortly after a power play when Tyler Steenbergen battled to get Lane Pederson a puck in the slot that he ripped off Kyle Dumba's glove and in for his 6th of the season.

The Hitmen got one back shortly before the end of the first period when Tyler Mrkonjic's wrap-around banked off of Taz Burman's glove, off his back and in.

The Broncos got off to a slow start in the second period before repeated power play opportunities got them turned around. They took the lead back when Aleksi Heponiemi set Steenbergen up for his team leading 14th of the season on a really nice play getting Dumba to bite on a wrap-around before sending a pass the other way for a wide open net.

Steenbergen moved up in a tie for second among WHL goal scorers.

Calgary turned the game around early in the third after a penalty kill when Jakob Stukel and Andrei Grishakov scored thirty second apart to tie the game and take the lead. The Hitmen then worked to limit Swift Current's chances the rest of the way.

The Broncos did have the puck in Calgary's zone with Burman pulled for over two minutes but couldn't find a way to get a shot through that would beat Dumba.

Swift Current was held to 22 shots on the night.

“You've got to shoot,” Smith said. “You hold on to the puck, you hold on to the puck and by the time we decide to shoot or pass that lane is closed. We've got to release quicker, we've got to change the angle and find a way to get it through. When we do good things happen. You have to release the puck quicker.”

The Broncos went 1 for 7 on the power play while holding Calgary to 0 for 3.

Burman made 30 saves in a losing cause.

Swift Current sits now at 10-6-2-1 and they have a full week off before playing again next Saturday against Brandon.

“It's very important we've been playing a lot,” Smith said. “I think we've played almost the most games in the league to this point. We've held our own our record is OK. You always want to win as much as you can. Coming out of this stretch with guys injured and banged up we need to take advantage of this week.”

It couldn't come at a better time with Glenn Gawdin, Conner Chaulk, Riley Stotts and Matthew Stanley out injured. Kaden Elder returned to the lineup Saturday after missing Friday's game due to injury.

Lane Pederson and Artyom Minulin won't have any time to rest though as they play for Team WHL and Team Russia respectively in the CIBC Canada/Russia series on Monday and Tuesday.