The Swift Current Broncos more than doubled their season total of offence in an exciting night at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.

It still wasn't enough for their first win of the season as they fell 6-5 to their rivals from Regina.

"We're taking steps in the right direction" said Broncos assistant coach Brandin Cote.

Alec Zawatsky led the way scoring his first two goals of the season both on a power play that clicked three times in five opportunities.

Andrew Fyten, Eric Houk and Ethan Regnier also scored for the Broncos. Houk's goal was his first in the WHL, while Billy Sowa had the first two assists of his career.

Swift Current got out to an early lead when Zawatsky ripped a puck by Pats goaltender Dean McNabb.

"That doesn't happen without (Max Patterson) in front," Zawatsky said praising his teammates on a power play unit that had a strong night.

Regina struck right back when Duncan Pierce notched his second of the season on a wrap-around goal to tie the game and Pats captain Jake Leschyshyn ripped a one-timer through Joel Hofer's leg for a 2-1 lead after the first period.

Late in the second period the Broncos tied the game when they forced a neutral zone turnover and Owen Blocker set Houk up for his first goal. They weren't able to get to the intermission with the lead as Regina's Austin Pratt converted a rebound with only 17 seconds to go before the intermission.

Again the Broncos showed some resilience as Ethan Regnier tied the game on the rebound of a Noah King shot only 47 seconds into the third period.

That's when Swift Current hit a bit of a wall. Robbie Holmes had his wrist shot from the point slip through Hofer in the start of a three goal run for Regina that lifted them up 6-3 midway through the third period.

"We could have easily gave up and just kind of played it out," Cote said. "But we stuck with it. We're pretty proud of the effort."

The power play again got the Broncos back in the game as Zawatsky put his second of the game through traffic to beat McNabb. They notched another power play marker less than two minutes later when Fyten drove home the rebound of a Matthew Culling shot.

That's as close as the Broncos would get as they pushed with Hofer pulled late and couldn't find the tying goal.

The 6-5 win was Regina's first of the season, while the rebuilding Broncos dropped to 0-5 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 2486 fans.

Swift Current is in Regina on Saturday night. Listen live at 6:30pm with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey on The Eagle 94.1 FM.