The host Swift Current Broncos matched the Tri-City Americans stride for stride but in the end came up one goal short in a 2-1 loss Saturday.
The game was scoreless over the opening 50 minutes before Mitch Topping scored for the Americans with 9:33 remaining on the powerplay.
Chance Lund replied for the Broncos with his fourth goal of the season only 34 seconds later to tie it up 1-1.
But Connor Rankin scored with only 3:20 left on the clock when he lifted a puck into the net during a scramble in front of the Broncos crease to seal the win.
Eetu Laurikainen made 22 saves to drop to 5-3-2-1 for the Broncos.
Eric Comrie made 24 saves to improve to 9-3-1-1 this season.
The Americans also improved to 9-3-3-1, while the Broncos dropped to 5-4-3-1.
“I thought we came out and gave a good effort, just didn’t do the little things that we needed to pull off a win over a top team like that,” said forward Brent Benson after his second game in a Broncos uniform since being acquired from the Saskatoon Blades.
The Broncos will be in Prince Albert Sunday to face their Raiders in only their fourth road game of the season. It will be the Broncos third game in as many nights.
“I think it starts right now, preparation for the next game, get in the gym, flush it out. I go by a 30-minute rule, think about this game and then we have to start getting ready for tomorrow and move on and forget about it,” explained Benson.
