Pats shut out by Swift Current in playoffs game 1

The Broncos put up three goals in the first period and held on to win it as they shut out the Pats 3-0 Friday night.

It was the opening game of the best of seven series between the east division rivals and it happened in front of a sold-out crowd in Swift Current.

Penalties plagued the Pats in the first period and Swift Current capitalized on it, but the scoring started at even strength when Beck Malenstyn beat Regina goaltender Ryan Kubic less than four minutes in to put the Broncos up 1-0.

The Broncos next two goals came on the powerplay, with Tyler Steenbergen potting one from the right circle after a feed from Aleksi Heponiemi.

Nearly five minutes later Matteo Gennaro tipped in a shot from the point to give his team a 3-0 lead heading into the second period.

And the deficit would be too much for the Pats to come back from.

While the Pats went on to outshoot the Broncos 20-14 the rest of the game and 34-26 overall, Stuart Skinner held it down between the pipes blanking the Pats in game one of the series.

Skinner was awarded with first star honours for a 34 save shutout performance.

Kubic made 23 saves in the loss, which was also his first playoff appearance.

The Pats have an opportunity to get right back on the horse Saturday night when the puck drops on game 2 at the Credit Union i-plex in Swift Current.

Game time is 7 p.m.