Lane Pederson struck with his second goal of the day 2:53 into overtime as the Swift Current Broncos beat the Moose Jaw Warriors 7-6 in pre-season action today.

"We talked about a set play we were going to go to off the draw," Pederson said. "It worked out well but we hit a post. After that it was just hockey instincts."

Click here for video of the overtime goal

It was Pederson's third of the pre-season so far as the Broncos avoided a second straight overtime defeat after being unable to hold a lead. They lost 4-3 in the shootout to Saskatoon on Friday after being up 3-0. Swift Current took a 6-4 lead against Moose Jaw on Saturday and despite outplaying them couldn't hold that lead in regulation.

"I thought collectively as a team we played pretty well today," Pederson said. "We had a couple of blunders there at the end of the game that let them back in it, but overall we got better as the game went on. We established the forecheck and the system that coach Viveiros wants to run and it paid dividends."

Swift Current's new coach was also impressed with what he saw.

"Could have been our best game," Viveiros said. "A couple of mistakes we made on our penalty kill but those are some we really haven't discussed a whole lot. Very encouraged. I don't think we played well (Friday), but two out of three games I thought we played really well."

The first period was a bit of a mess for both teams as they took a combined seven minor penalties that turned into six goals. Swift Current started to assert their control in second period and didn't look back with 30 of their 45 shots after the first intermission.

"I think just positional play," Viveiros said. "That's something we've been stressing from day one. We want to make sure we're in good position and if we're in good position we still allow ourselves to be aggressive. We're able to sustain our aggression in the offensive zone by having good postion."

Pederson, Aleksi Heponiemi and Tyler Steenbergen combined for eight points during the game including two goals each for Pederson and Heponiemi. 

"Those guys are really easy to play with," Pederson noted. "They both see the ice really well and I was just trying to find a spot to get open for them and find them when I had the puck. I thought we fed off each other pretty well today."

Heponiemi is having an impressive exhibition run with seven points in three games so far. He and Broncos defenceman Artyom Minulin are tied for the WHL pre-season scoring lead.

"He's a pretty special player," Viveiros said. "It doesn't matter who we put him with he's making things happen on the ice. There's going to be an adjustment period also don't forget... he's a pretty special player."

Calvin Spencer and Riley Stotts also scored for Swift Current. Minulin and Colby Sissons each had two assists. Logan Barlage had his third assist in three WHL pre-season games.

The Broncos went 4 for 7 on the power play including the overtime winner. Moose Jaw went 4 for 5.

Every team in the league still needs to work on special teams, but it's a good start for the man advantage.

"I think we're just moving the puck faster," Pederson said. "We're holding onto it, we're not massaging the puck. We're just catching it and snapping it around, making quick plays, getting our head up and the first play is the right play. We were shooting it too getting lots of pucks on net."

The Broncos outshot the Warriors 45-25 in the game. Bailey Brking made 13 saves on 17 shots in Swift Current's goal during the first half. Caiden Kreitz came and stopped 6 of 8 shots directed at him.

In general the staff is happy enough with what they've seen to continue keeping everybody at this stage.

"Quite honestly we're not ready (to make cuts)," Viveiros said. "We've got some really young players that are really making a good case for themselves to make this team. Veterans too. I want to give them the most opportunity to make this hockey team."

The veteran Broncos have also  been impressed by some their young guns.

"Everyone in the lineup has done a really good job," Pederson said. "They're pushing us for more and it's a really healthy competition. These  young guys are coming in and making us earn our keep. It's only going to be good for our hockey team."

Now Swift Current has six days off before visiting Lethbridge next Friday. They host the Hurricanes on Saturday. The Broncos are 2-1-1 in the pre season so far.

Aleksi Heponiemi (photo by Marc Smith)