It’s only the preseason and it won’t matter in terms of the standings, but it should still be an intense weekend as the Humboldt Broncos meet the Melfort Mustangs in a pair of games.
The two teams will meet Friday night in Humboldt, and the rematch will be in Melfort on Saturday.
These two games will serve as the final audition for the Broncos before they begin the regular season a week from tonight in Warman against the Wolverines.
With five games under their belt in the preseason, the green and gold were able to distribute plenty of playing time for the younger players, with many of them getting their first taste of Junior ‘A’ hockey.
Broncos Head Coach and General Manager Brayden Klimosko says the veteran players will be getting more ice time this weekend.
“I think our young guys have shown pretty decent so far, feel like our guys have to catch up to speed a little bit, that’s what these next two games in the exhibition season are for.”
Klimosko added that intensity is something that he will keep an eye on this weekend.
“Get back to regular season pace, we’re not quite there yet, we got to work on that, some intensity has to pick up, all those little things make a difference moving into next week.”
Two players that will be in the Broncos lineup on Friday night is Jacob Strizzi and Connor Miller. Both players have suited up in one preseason game so far, with Strizzi scoring a hat-trick last Saturday and Miller making his return to Humboldt on Monday.
Even though it’s preseason, Miller says the Broncos want a pair of wins against the Mustangs,
“Still out rival Melfort, you always want to beat them. We’re just going to go out there and do what we can, ultimately by the weekend we should be happy with our performances and hopefully with two ‘W’s and hit the season strong.”
Like Miller, Strizzi wants a pair of wins against the Mustangs.
“Our room here it’s one game at a time, but we want to win both games, there’s no reason not to finish the preseason strong here and then go into season strong in Warman.”
20-year-old netminder Charlie Tritt is set to start between the pipes for the Broncos, he saw action on Monday against the Kindersley Klippers.
Newly acquired Logan Flint will be in the lineup as he makes his Broncos debut.
Tonight’s game can be heard on Bolt FM and discoverhumboldt.com, pre-game show at 7:15, with the opening faceoff at 7:30.
Same time for tomorrow rematch in Melfort.