It's early in the season but the Swift Current Broncos are set for a battle of two first place teams.

The Broncos sit tied on top of the WHL's Eastern Conference as they get set to battle the Western Conference leading Prince George Cougars tonight.

"For us it's where we measure up," said Broncos Coach/Director of Player Personnel Manny Viveiros. "They're a really good team and playing in their rink a very difficult place to play. It's a really good test for us and we're going to have a better indication of where we are. We're really excited about it and we have to be really, really good to get points out of here."

Prince George is 10-2 on the season and have had excellent scoring depth so far this season. They have twelve players on their roster with at least five points in their first twelve games.

"They're a big and heavy team," Viveiros noted. "They will come at you and they're a very strong and physical team. We're sneaky big too, but also we're mobile. That for us is always going to be an x-factor is how we skate and how we move. When you're skating the physical part of the game comes too. We've got to come here and not sit back against these guys but go after them."

The Broncos have been known for their speed and skill early this season. They are also not shying away from the physical battles.

"If you're skating you're going to be skaing into traffic so things are going to happen," Viveiros said. "Usually when we're playing physical we're skating so you're going to get yourself into areas where there is physical contact. It's not always looking for the biggest checks but it's finishing your checks at the right time."

At 7-2-0-1 in the early going Swift Current is perhaps ahead of where most had predicted they would be.

"We don't really look at that as far as where we expected to be right now," Viveiros said. "It's certainly a pleasant surprise right now but it's a long season. As good a start as we've had there are times throughout the season where it's not going to be as good. It's how you handle those situations that is the most important. We're pleased but we're not satisfied. We're looking to get better every day."

With only one overage player on their roster the Broncos are a source of early trade speculation in the WHL. They are of course exploring their options although not necessarily close to any deals.

"We've got a pretty good indication of where we are and where we need to improve on our team," Viveiros said. "We're certainly looking at everything throughout the league like everybody else is. To say that we're close to doing something certainly not but we're always keeping our eyes open. It's pretty quiet throughout the league."

Swift Current is one of the few teams in the league to have not yet named a captain. Viveiros is a new coach this season and still getting a feel for his leadership group.

"We're going to certainly do that," he said. "But we're going to wait a little longer so I get a better feel for the kids and waiting for someone to kind of step out and take charge as far as that role for our hockey team. We have not just one but a few guys doing that. We're going to take our time."

This game in Prince George is the second for Swift Current on a five game BC Division road swing. You can hear it live on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 7:30pm.