The Humboldt Broncos outscored the Battlefords North Stars 15-5 in back-to-back wins this weekend to leapfrog their rivals for 1st place in the Nutrien Division.
The success continued to roll for the green and gold, as a 5-2 win on Friday in the Battlefords paired with a commanding 10-3 home-ice victory on Saturday extended their win streak to four games and their point streak to seven.
Jacob Strizzi and Kye Benoche had a weekend to remember, both scoring hat-tricks on separated nights. Strizzi scored three goals and added two assists on Friday, before setting up four more goals on Saturday for nine points in two games. He now leads the entire SJHL with 26 goals and 55 points. Benoche was equally as effective, picking up a goal as three assists in the Battlefords, before scoring his first career hat-trick at home, finishing with seven points throughout the weekend set.
The Broncos were littered with other notable players in the two games.
Defenseman Ryder Knutson had his first career four-point night on Saturday and six points overall. Callum Desbrow and Zac Bansley scored their first career goals as a Bronco. Bansley finished with three points on Saturday for his highest total this season.
Cade Kennedy continued his steady pace since being acquired in a trade. He now has 10 points in 8 games as a Bronco. Meanwhile the longest tenured Bronco, Maddox Amaral, who completes a line with Kennedy and Bansley finished with three points on Saturday. That trio teamed up for a team-high 10 combined points in the 10-3 win.
Dazza Mitchell was in bet for both of the wins, stopping a combined 71 of 76 shots faced. He is now 5-2-0-1 with a .926 SV% as a Humboldt Bronco.
Humboldt will have three games this coming week, looking to continue their longest point streak of the season. They will host the Estevan Bruins on Wednesday, before another divisional weekend home-and-home split against the Kindersley Klippers.
The Broncos are now just four points back of the Yorkton Terriers for the final home-ice advantage playoff spot.