The Humboldt Broncos hope to take care of business this week as they continue their pursuit of a playoff spot.
After picking up five out of six possible points last week, the Broncos will attempt to grab four points against the Nipawin Hawks and Notre Dame Hounds.
Even though both teams are below Humboldt in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings, the Broncos have faced some trouble with both teams this season.
Back in November, the Broncos and Hawks split a pair of games at the Elgar Petersen Arena, including the Hawks shutting out the Broncos 1-0 on November 16.
Both remaining games between the two squads will be played in Nipawin, first tonight and then the regular season finale on Friday, March 14.
The Broncos and Hounds are set to square off for the seventh time on Thursday. Humboldt has four of the six encounters, including last Wednesday’s overtime win in Wilcox, giving the green and gold their first win of 2025.
Assistant Coach Carter Hansen said following last Saturday’s shootout loss to the Battlefords North Stars, that the Broncos opponents shouldn’t dictate their performance.
“Just got to keep things rolling, it shouldn’t matter who we’re playing, doesn’t matter if it’s Notre Dame, Nipawin, Flin Flon or Melfort, we got to play the same way that we have been like we did this week, and just keeping building those blocks, keep getting points, keep going up the standings, just keep rolling out from here on in, we can’t have too many setbacks now.”
Nipawin is still searching for their first victory in 2025, their last win came on December 13 against the La Ronge Ice Wolves. Since then, they have gone 0-8-1 in their last nine games.
Jacob Strizzi played a big role in the Broncos' success last week, picking up three goals, including the overtime winner against the Hounds and a pair of goals against the North Stars last Friday. For his efforts, Strizzi was named the SJHL Forward of the Week.
Humboldt has a chance to close some ground tonight, they trail Melville by two points and the Kindersley Klippers by three points. The Millionaires host the Flin Flon Bombers tonight while the Klippers are idle this evening.
Coverage for tonight’s game on Bolt Fm begins with the pregame show at 6:45 and the opening faceoff is 7:00.