The Swift Current Broncos started 2019 the same way they ended 2018; with a loss to the Saskatoon Blades.

Today's 5-2 defeat was a harder fought game and the Broncos kept it close until the last few minutes.

"It was a bit better than the previous game," said Broncos assistant coach Brandin Cote. "They have a skilled team and we have to learn how to manage pucks better. Our communication and our structure in our D zone has to get better... all those little things it seems like after the first couple games back after Christmas we've just hit a bit of a lull in terms of our emotional level and the energy we need to play with to be competitive.

The Broncos got off to a good start while spending some significant time in the offensive zone and drawing an early 5 on 3 power play. Stalling on the man advantage seemed to slow their momentum and Saskatoon started to turn the play around.

"It has to be a momentum builder," Cote said. "Whether or not you score you have to get some momentum from your power play... we have to find ways to gain momentum... lately our in zone hasn't been as good. For our power play to be successful we have to execute, we have to have passes on the tape, we have to understand where the pressure is coming from and then keep it simple."

Max Gerlach then scored on Saskatoon's first power play and they held a 1-0 lead through the first period. The Blades added to that on an early goal from Josh Paterson in the second period and had a chance to put the game away with their own 5 on 3. Swift Current killed that off and held the Blades to 1 for 6 on their man advantage. Their penalty kill has been successful 16 out of 18 opportunities since the Christmas break.

"It doesn't take a lot of skill to kill penalties it just takes commitment, good positioning and sticks," Cote said. "They got one where they snuck in a little close to the net... overall our positioning has been better in our defensive zone and obviously our goaltending has been a big part of that. Our guys are buying in to the system and structure... that's been really encouraging. We've really improved that and now our power play has to get to another level as well."



BIlly Sowa struck for the Broncos with 13.4 seconds left in the second period as he snapped an Ethan O'Rourke behind Nolan Maier for his second goal in as many games. That and Riley McKay taking an unsportsmanlike penalty opened the door for the Broncos.

Sakstoon killed the penalty off and pulled away with goals from Chase Wouters and Kirby Dach.

Alec Zawatsky gave Swift Current some late hope with a beautiful goal as he knocked a puck out of mid-air towards Maier and then slid his own rebound in for his team leading 13th goal of the season.

McKay finally put the game out of a reach for Saskatoon with his goal as the Broncos were trying to mount their last minute push.

Joel Hofer had another strong outing with 41 saves for Swift Current including several big stops in the second period especially.

The game had a physical edge to it as three fights erupted including two during the same stoppage that resulted in Matthew Stanley getting tossed from the game.

Matthew Culling's five-game goal streak and Ben King's seven-game point streak were snapped in the loss. Joona Kiviniemi missed the game sick, while O'Rourke was back after missing Sunday's game sick.

The Broncos host Portland on Friday and Regina on Saturday.