The Swift Current Broncos may have come out on the winning end in Game 1 of the WHL Eastern Conference Final, but they sure know they're in for a tough series.

Stuart Skinner made 39 saves, while Aleksi Heponiemi's first of the playoffs served as the winner in a tight 3-2 victory over Lethbridge.

"I thought Lethbridge was really good tonight," said Broncos Coach/Director of Player Personnel Manny Viveiros. "They put us on our heels (and) made us make mistakes. We were fortunate. Stuart Skinner played very well for us. A little bit of puck luck for Lethbridge they could have easily won the game tonight."

It was Heponiemi's first goal in his WHL playoff career and came shortly after Lethbridge tied the game in the third period.

"The first game is huge to win," Heponiemi said. "The way we won today wasn't our best game and we have to be way better, but the first game is always huge."

Lethbridge came out with a shooting mentality in both the first and third period with 18 shots directed at Stuart Skinner in each period. The Broncos had stifled them in the second period, but couldn't carry that into the third.

"I thought we played a good game," said Hurricanes Coach Brent Kisio. "It was a solid effort. In the second period we didn't play the way we needed to play. I thought our first and third period were much more our team game. They had a chance and scored. We had some chances after and didn't score."

Skinner had a very strong game again for the Broncos stopping 39 shots including a few significant point blank saves. It was the first win for him against the Hurricanes since Lethbridge dealt him to Swift Current at the trade deadline.

"A lot of emotions that go into the game obviously playing your former team," Skinner said. "I think we bent but we never broke. We stayed together as a team. We got the job done tonight. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't how we wanted to do it, but we have a lot more to give."

Lethbridge knew they ran into a strong goalie. They also felt maybe they let the Broncos off the hook on a couple of occasions.

"(Skinner) played a good game," said Hurricanes captain Jordy Bellerive. "We gave him a lot of shots in the chest too. If we adjust the scopes a bit and keep shooting the puck it will be a good series for us."

Neither team was able to find the net in an up-and-down first period. Lethbridge went on a couple of early power plays and were able to direct a lot of pucks at Skinner.

"We knew they were going to come after us," Viveiros said. "In spurts I thought we played really good... but give Lethbridge credit. They came in here and weren't intimidated by us at all. They came in and put us on our heels. We know we've got to be better. If we're going to beat Lethbridge we have to play better hockey. That team is here for a reason."

"They put us under pressure and we turned a lot of pucks over tonight. I thought we were pretty sloppy with our puck management. We have to be much, much better with the puck. Some of our reads we weren't on like we were in the last few games. That's something we'll correct. We expect to be better and we expect Lethbridge to be better too."

Swift Current came out and played their game in the second period as they opened the scoring on a Max Patterson goal. They were physical and aggressive on the forecheck, while limiting their mistakes and smothering the Lethbridge attack. That's the recipe they feel they need to follow for a full game throughout the series.

"The hard-nose game is something we've been thriving on especially in the big games," said Broncos forward Giorgio Estephan. "Being able to battle hard is playoff hockey and I think we got to get back to how we played in the second."

Estephan added to Swift Current's lead finishing a nice passing play on the power play for his fifth of the playoffs.

The Hurricanes nearly cut into Swift Current's lead late in the period as a Bellerive goal was called back due to a Lethbridge high stick seconds on the puck seconds earlier.

Lethbridge pushed back in the third period and got a bit of a break when a Swift Current poke check landed right on Matthew Stanley's stick. He one-timed in his second of the playoffs to give the Hurricanes some momentum.

Calen Addison then tied the game as Lethbridge finally struck on their fourth power play of the night with a screened point shot.

That's when Heponiemi responded just over a minute later as he made quick move and wristed his game winner short side on Logan Flodell.

Coming off an intense series with a rival like Moose Jaw the Broncos may have taken some time to fully get that intensity back for this series. That's not something they expect to be a problem going forward.

"The kids were feeling pretty good about themselves after game seven," Viveiros noted. "Sometimes it's hard to get right into that next series... and get that sandpaper mentality. I think after tonight's game friendships that were been built between these two teams is gone. That's the way it should be. It's competition and everyone wants to win."

Veteran Broncos defenceman Artyom Minulin left the game with an undisclosed issue and didn't return. Swift Current leaned more heavily on rookie Noah King for big minutes down the stretch.

"Noah King played really well," Viveiros said. "He's been good for us all season long... but we've got other kids that are going to step in tomorrow. Connor Horning and Jacson Alexander are capable of playing. We're going to be absolutely fine."

Game 2 is Saturday night back at the sold out Innovation Credit Union iPlex. Listen live with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 6:30pm on The Eagle 94.1 FM.