The Swift Current Broncos couldn't come all the way back in a 3-2 loss to Moose Jaw tonight.

After a string of recent comebacks the Broncos were not able to overcome a 3-1 deficit to the Warriors despite a big push in the third period.

“I thought we had spurts where we played OK and what we wanted to do,” said Broncos Associate Coach Ryan Smith. “At other times we abandoned that and that probably cost us the game tonight. It was a tough one, tight at the end... I just didn't think we played well enough to get the job done.”

Click here for full interviews with Ryan Smith and Aleksi Heponiemi

Lane Pederson and Tyler Steenbergen scored for the Bronos, while Alexi Heponiemo and Aryom Minulin each had two assists.

“We had a bad start,” Heponiemi said. “Our first period we didn't do things we were supposed to do. Third period I think is all our period. We were all over the ice and we got some really good scoring chances, but still we've got to play a whole sixty minutes.”

Nikita Popugaev scored twice and had an assist in leading Moose Jaw to a 13-4-4 record and a three point lead on the Broncos for second in the WHL East Division. Noah Gregor had a goal and an assist.

Swift Current felt that despite an early lead on Pederson's power play goal they made some mistakes that opened the door for the Warriors.

“The second goal is an avoidable goal,” Smith said. “We lose a stick on the third goal, turn it over and it ends up in the back of our net. They're an offensive team and have got some guys who you can't give those chances or it ends up in your goal. We did some good things just not enough.”

The Broncos continue to struggle to find consistent even strength offence since their injuries to key contributors started to pile up. Swift Current had 34 shots on net and several good chances, but Brody Wilms held them to just their two power play goals.

“You have to make plays,” Smith said. “You can't just always rim the puck in. We have to make plays and drive the net. A couple times we drove wide and shot it... there's times and places for that but you've got to be able to make hockey plays. We don't have enough guys right now that are doing that whether they can or can't... we didn't have enough guys read to go.”

Taz Burman stopped 26 of 29 shots in a losing cause.

Swift Current's power play went 2 for 4 on the night and is up to 24% on the season.

“I think we pass the puck very well,” Heponiemi said. “We move the puck very quickly. I think that's a big part of it.”

The Broncos dropped to 11-7-2-3 and continue a tough weekend with a game on Saturday night against the Central Division leading Medicine Hat Tigers.

“They're a skating team,” Smith said. “They've got some creative guys and they'll put the puck in the net if you make any mistake and give them time and space. We watched a lot of video on them this week and they're very fast and very creative. If we're ready and play our systems I like our chances.”

You can hear the game on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Roberston Family Group Broncos Hockey at 8pm.