The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings went into the Elgar Petersen Arena to open the 2024 SJHL playoffs against the Humboldt Broncos. The first-round series is the first meeting between the two clubs in the playoffs since 2015.
The Broncos, who came into the post-season as the number three seed in the SJHL, would come out looking to set a tone for the series by scoring early and often. They would open up the game with a goal nearly six minutes into the game and then hold on to the lead to take the first game of the series. Humboldt took the first game by a final of 6-1.
Ben Costantino scored the first goal of the series 5:37 into the opening period, and Boris Kofman would make it 2-0 Humboldt with 7:24 to play. The Broncos would hold on to a 2-0 lead until just past the halfway mark of the second period
It was then the Red Wings would score their first goal of the playoffs when Jerome Maharaj got the puck past Benjamin Motew to make it 2-1. His goal would be unassisted.
Matthew Van Blaricom would restore the two-goal lead with 6:20 remaining in the second as he scored his first of the playoffs. In the third period, Kofman scored his second of the game 3:08 in to make it 4-1 for Humboldt, and then Marik Mamic scored with 10:59 remaining in the game to make it 5-1. Jacob Strizzi would then add one more goal with 3:28 to play to close out the game.
The Broncos did manage to shut down the second most potent power play in the SJHL, keeping the Red Wings off the board when they had the man advantage. The Red Wings did give up one power play goal, that coming from Strizzi late in the third.
In net, Dazza Mitchell would be in goal for all six of the Humboldt goals, stopping 36 of the 42 shots that he faced.
The two teams will be back on the ice for game two of the series tomorrow night in Humboldt. You can catch all the action on Great Plains Ford Red Wings Radio, Country 106.7. Nick Nielsen will have the call, starting with the pre-game show at 7:15 p.m.