It was all about taking away time and space from the Melfort Mustangs on Friday night. Ironically, it was time that got the best of Humboldt, as following an outstanding first period, they ran out of gas in a 3-2 loss to the defending champs.
In one of the best periods of the season, the Broncos pushed the Mustangs around in the first frame. They made the opening 20 minutes extremely uncomfortable for their opponents, won the majority of puck battles, outmanned the physical play, and took a 2-0 lead on the road. Jeter Korte and Maric Mamic were the lone Bronco goal scorers on the night, both extending their point steaks to five and wight games, respectively. Unfortunately, the microcosms usually utilized towards thwarting the Mustangs, didn’t elapse over a full 60-mintutes.
The Broncos were down a trio of forwards on the night, then had Rylan Hue exit the game with an injury while also suffering two blows to defensemen Oakley McIlwain and Tristan Serrao, who attempted to fight through and stay in the game. Over the final 40 minutes, it was evident, however, that the battle of attrition was tilting toward the home side.
Following Melfort’s first goal in the second period by Ashton Hutchinson, an unsuccessful five-minute powerplay for Humboldt was the turning point that gave all momentum Melfort’s way. The veteran laden team would go on to tie the game in the final two minutes of the second period from Zayden Sadlemyer, and Zac Somers finding the game winner in the opening two minutes of the third.
The Broncos, who without much wind in their sails in the third period, were held to just four shots in the final frame and a season-low 21 shots overall.
Edouard Gauthier turned aside a stellar performance, stopping 33 of 36 including multiple highlight-reel saves to keep his team close.
The Mustangs, a team comprised mostly or 19- and 20-year-olds, continued on an 11-game wining streak and have gone 12-0-0 in one-goal games this season.
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The Melfort Mustangs completed the weekend sweep of the Humboldt Broncos with a 5-2 at the Elgar Petersen Arena on Saturday.
Ashton Hutchinson led the Mustangs with four points on the night (2G-2A).
Melfort jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead, Logan Keup opened the scoring with his first goal of the season. Hutchinson added to the lead on the power play.
Oakley McIlwain cut the deficit to one for the Broncos, but that was as close as they would get.
The Mustangs ended the second period with two goals with Hutchinson and Reilley Kotai finding the back of the net.
Austin Shepard scored a short-handed goal for Melfort before Humboldt’s Jacob Strizzi ended off the scoring with his 15th goal of the season.
Edouard Gauthier made 27 saves before he was replaced by Ty Matonovich in the third period.
The Mustangs were 2/10 with the extra-man advantage while the Broncos were 0/6.
With the two losses on the weekend, the Broncos fall back behind in logjam of the SJHL playoff, in a three-way tie for 7th spot with the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Kindersley Klippers at 29 points.
Humboldt has three games on the road before the Christmas holidays, they will head to Assiniboia to meet the Weyburn Red Wings on Thursday, before they travel to Estevan for their two matchups against the Bruins on Friday and Saturday.
The next home game for Humboldt will be their first game back from the break on Saturday, January 4th against the Kindersley Klippers.