Scouting report

Tonight the Tips (10-8-3-0) wrap up their six-game swing through the East Division with their one-and-only meeting of the season with Swift Current (14-8-0-0). The Tips are 2-1-2-0 so far on the trip. The Broncos won 3-1 when the teams met last season in Everett.

Th Broncos are challenging for first in the East Division, but have struggled with injuries lately and have lost their last three, including a 2-1 home defeat against Calgary in their last game Tuesday.

However, Swift Current is beginning to get healthy again and is nearing full strength. Seventeen-year-old center Cody Eakin (eight goals, two assists) has returned and 19-year-old center Matt Tassone (seven goals, seven assists) is expected back tonight. They join 20-year-old right wing Keegan Dansereau (11 goals, eight assists) in giving the Broncos several scoring options. The goaltending is split between 20-year-old Travis Yonkman (5-1-0-0, 2.30 goals against average, .914 save percentage) and 19-year-old Mark Guggenberger (9-7-0-0, 2.38 goals against average, .921 save percentage).

Tonight’s game also sees the Tips face a pair of former teammates in 19-year-old defenseman Eric Doyle (five goals, 16 assists) and 18-year-old right wing Matt Ius (three goals, no assists).

Nick Patterson, Herald Writer