The Swift Current Broncos kept it close, but just couldn't find the late offensive traction they needed in a 5-3 loss to the talented Portland Winterhawks last night.

Jaydon Dureau broke the third period deadlock converting a 3 on 1 and the Winterhawks added an empty-netter late to escape Swift Current with two points.

"I thought our effort was pretty good," said Broncos assistant coach Brandin Cote. "That's a good team they play with a really high pace and they're very skilled. Obviously our goaltender stood on his head again. We had some good opportunities as well. We pushed at the end, but at the same time mental lapses in the first period cost us and even on the fourth goal... those little things like that we have to stay engaged mentally for the whole sixty minutes. Our penalty kill against the top power play in the league was a real positive."



Portland got the jump on Swift Current in the first period on goals by Lane Gilliss, Joachim Blichfeld and Michal Kvasnica. Gilliss' goal came early, but the Broncos were able to respond when Ian Briscoe set up Ethan O'Rourke for his third of the season.

"We got a nice little turnover in the neutral zone," O'Rourke said. "Briscoe gets it on the outside and he makes a really good play when I call for it. I got a little bit of a lucky bounce off the toe of my skate and took it to the stick to bury it."



The Winterhawks then quickly added a couple goals on one-timers and took the lead back up 3-1. Those open looks were something the Broncos addressed in the intermission.

"We had to take care of the puck better," Cote said. "Even just identifying off the rush who has who. We showed the second and third goals in the intermission. Just missed assignments off the rush. We went over that and I thought that was better as the game went along... at the same time we can still be better. We're not going to let anyone off the hook here. We're going to hold guys accountable... we've got a young team and we're learning every game."

Matthew Culling cut that lead back to one late in the first period as he snapped a shot from his off wing by goaltender Shane Farkas. Culling has goals in seven of his last nine games.

Swift Current tied the game up in the second period when Alex Moar blocked a clearing attempt and set Ethan Regnier up for a quick one-timer. Regnier now has 8 points in his last 7 games, while Moar has five in his last six games.



The Broncos had a couple power play chances in the third period but were not able to break through as the Winterhawks again pulled ahead.

"Our power play only had a couple opportunities but it can still be a lot better," Cote said. "We had a couple good looks off the second one. Off the post we hit a post and what not."

The penalty kill was strong denying all three Portland chances. They've only allowed two power play goals in five games since Christmas.

Joel Hofer made 43 saves in another strong effort for Swift Current.

"He's done it for us all year so far," O'Rourke said. "I'm sure he's going to keep doing it."

Since winning their first game after the Christmas break, the Broncos have now dropped four straight games. They host Regina tonight in a battle of two rebuilding rivals. You can hear it live on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 6:30pm.