The Swift Current Broncos and Regina Pats were so closely matched it almost seemed destined for a Game 7.

This just wasn't the way anyone would have expected to get there.

A series full of lopsided games with no momentum for either team continued in that direction as Regina beat Swift Current 7-2 in Game 6 tonight.

That results comes off a 5-2 Swift Current win in Game 5, a 6-3 Regina win in Game 4 and a 4-1 Broncos win in Game 3. For two closely matched teams they haven't really created closely contested games.

"I wish I knew the answer to that," said Broncos Captain Glenn Gawdin. "This series the way it's been going it's a trend for both teams. Not really surprised how it's going that it's coming down to one game. For us our  mentality is we have to win that... it's playoffs anything can happen."

Swift Current got off to a solid start getting some good zone time in Regina's end despite being unable to generate the first goal. The feel of the whole game seemed to changed when Robbie Holmes opened the scoring by deflecting in an Aaron Hyman point shot with a stick high enough that it required a video review.

"The start was fine," said Broncos Associate Coach Ryan Smith. "The first period was meandering along with both teams kind of feeling their way through. They got that goal a little bit controversial whether it was a high stick or not, but they got that first one and it kind of seemed to break the ice. We fell apart on a rush and they scored the second one. That really put us behin the 8-ball. The first ten minutes were fine, but after that there weren't many positives."



Cameron Hebig extended Regina's lead with a very nice goal on a fake shot leading to a wrap-around. He extended the lead early in the second period on a point blank opportunity set up by Sam Steel. The Pats kept coming and made it 4-0 on Jake Leschyshyn's third of the series.

That's when the Broncos had their best sequence of the game starting to push back and generating a Giorgio Estephan power play goal. However, Nick Henry responded only two and a half minutes later to restore the four-goal lead and suck the wind out of Swift Current's sails.

"We weren't there all together," Gawdin said. "Our game plan hasn't changed, but the way we executed it wasn't where we wanted and it showed tonight."

Regina added goals from Steel and Matt Bradley in the third period, while Max Patterson tacked on a late power play goal for the Broncos.

Stuart Skinner allowed five goals on 24 Regina shots before being relieved for Joel Hofer in the third period. Ryan Kubic got the win for Regina making 25 saves.

The Pats were again without defenceman Libor Hajek, forward Jesse Gabrielle and goaltender Max Paddock. Artyom Minulin played his second straight game for the Broncos and was able to play a more consistent shift.

The series shifts back to Swift Current on Monday for Game 7 with the Broncos looking to redeem themselves after losing a seventh game to the Pats last season.

"Really hungry," Gawdin said. "It goes without saying that we want our redemption. Not just our team, but we traded for guys that got beat out by these guys last year. For us it's a big one."

As much as the Broncos will want to adjust for where they went wrong they also don't want to ignore what has gone right for them before in the series as they prepare for the deciding game.

"You have to have a short memory and you can't forget about what you did well on Friday," Smith said. "It's one game and it comes down to who can play the best 60 minutes and who wants it more. They showed they're not ready to go home yet. Hats off to them. They played a very good game tonight and we weren't great. We're going to have to be much better."

The big difference for Swift Current this season is that Game 7 will be on home ice.

"Our crowd has been awesome for us all season," Gawdin said. "Last year it was (in Regina) so it will be a lot nicer to be at home."

Tickets for the final game of the series go on sale Monday morning at 8am. Season ticket holders who haven't bought their playoff package have until 1pm to secure their seats.