It may be Valentine’s Day, but there will be no love in the air in Battlefords tonight as the Humboldt Broncos finish off their season series against the North Stars this weekend with one final home-and-home set.
Tonight will mark the seventh matchup between the two clubs. After splitting the first four matchups, the Broncos were able to sweep the two-game series on January 31 and February 1. Humboldt leads the series 4-2-0-1.
Valuable playoff positioning with the four points on the line. The Broncos, North Stars and Melville Millionaires are currently tied for 5th spot in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings with 49 points, with the Kindersley Klippers occupying the final playoff spot with 47 points. The La Ronge Ice Wolves are on the outside of the playoff picture with 40 points.
This weekend will present an opportunity for the Broncos to create some space in the playoff race.
But as Broncos Assistant Coach said following last Saturday’s loss to Kindersley, sweeping a home-and-home set is no easy task, and is a big reason for the parity in the league this season.
“You don’t move anywhere unless you both on the weekend, and the way the league is going this year, it’s hard to beat the same team twice in a row.
The matchup against the North Stars marks the third straight weekend for the Broncos will battle in a home and home set, along with the sweep over Battlefords, Humboldt split their two matchups against the Klippers.
Last Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Kindersley snapped the Broncos’ nine-game point streak and six-game winning streak.
Humboldt will try and regain their scoring success against Battlefords, with the Broncos scoring 10 goals in their last encounter against the North Stars.
Brady Holtvogt will start in net for Humboldt on Friday night. The local product was named the Rookie of the Week in the SJHL for his victory over the Estevan Bruins where Holtvogt made 28 saves on February 5.
With several injuries to their lineup, the Broncos will call up 16-year-old Cooper Ernewein from the U18 AAA Saskatoon Blazers. This season, Ernewein has 40 points (21G-19A) in 35 games with the Blazers. The Saskatoon product was the Broncos 2nd round selection (23rd overall) in the 2023 SJHL U15 Draft. He was also selected in the 8th round (175th overall) by the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. Ernewein’s WHL rights were sent to Moose Jaw last month in a trade that saw the Warriors sending Brayden Schuurman to the Thunderbirds.
Coverage for Friday night’s game on Bolt FM begins at 7:15, puck drops at 7:30.
On Saturday, the Broncos Alumni Game is 1:30, followed by the final Broncos and North Stars game of the regular season at 5:00.
Then on Monday, the Broncos host the Yorkton Terriers a matinee Family Day game at 3:00. Following the game, the Broncos will remain on the ice for a post-game skate with the fans.