The Swift Current Broncos really don't seem to think sixty minute games are long enough.

They went to overtime for the seventh time in their last nine games tonight as Artyom Minulin scored to lift them to a 3-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels.

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“A win is a win so we are happy with that for sure,” said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. “We played well we just couldn't seem to get that comfortable lead. Third period we came out we weren't sharp, we scrambled in our own end, our power play... hurt us with a shorthanded goal. Two pretty good periods, one not so good period but we found a way in overtime to win.”

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The Broncos looked good early and took a lead as Tyler Steenbergen banged home his team leading 15th of the season on the power play. They had a chance to extend that lead when Cole Johnson rung a puck off the crossbar late in the first.

The 18-year-old forward did manage to strike early in the second period to gie Swift Current a little bit of cushion.

“Cole Johnson was excellent tonight,” Smith said. “He was probably the best player in blue. He had jump in his step, he was beating them to loose pucks, he won all those battles and he was all over I thought.”

It was Johnson's second goal of the season on one of many chances for him in the game.

“Just doing little things right,” Johnson noted. “Getting pucks down behind their d-men, cycling the puck and having a third man high helped us huge tonight. We did a great job at it and it paid off.”

Click here for the full interview with Cole Johnson

Swift Current was in firm control midway through the second period up 2-0 and couldn't pull the trigger on some extra insurance despite a number of good chances.

“I think as a team on their side they defended, they held us off, they bent and they didn't break,” Smith said. “When you do that and you manage to get one in yourself it gives you a little life.”

The Rebels struck back late in the second period as Josh Mahura one-timed a power play goal through a screen. That seemed to give a road weary Red Deer club some energy in the third as they pushed back and tied the game on a shorthanded goal from Michael Spacek.

Swift Current held on tight late and got a couple big saves from Taz Burman on Spacek and Brandon Hagel to preserve the tie.

Minulin's goal came after Colby Sissons made a good move to fake out the Rebel at the offenisve blue line and draw defenders to him. That opened Minulin up as he put his wrist shot in a perfect spot off the crossbar and in.

Minulin is now tied for third among WHL defencemen for most points with 21 in 22 games.

“He's showing some poise with the puck,” Smith said. “He sees the ice well... he's a smart player. He showed some skill last year. He's got his head up when he makes plays and he's coming along nicely. It's a big advantage for him having played here last year.”

The Broncos got Conner Chaulk back in their lineup after he missed two weeks due to an injury he sustained blocking a shot. He played big minutes, won key face-offs, made some big defensive plays, had a couple shots and was a +1 in the victory.

“Chaulk is a natural leader,” Johnson said. “He's awesome to have around. He's back now ready to go and helped us out huge tonight.”

Swift Current also got defenceman Matthew Stanley back in their lineup tonight. They're still missing Glenn Gawdin, Riley Stotts, Arthur Miller and Calvin Spencer.

Burman made 23 saves to earn the win against his old team. Lasse Petersen stopped 27 Swift Current shots in the Red Deer net.

The Broncos moved to 11-6-2-3 on the season and sit a point ahead of Moose Jaw for second place in the East Division. They host the Warriors on Friday.