The Humboldt Broncos had a 3-2 lead in the third period before it all fell apart, giving up five straight goals in a 7-3 loss to the Weyburn Red Wings on Thursday night.
Capping off the 2024 calendar year was a three-game in three-day road trip for the Broncos, who need points to get back above the playoff line, and ideally, leaving hopes for a happy holiday hiatus. With six points available, the Broncos will have to settle for a maximum of four with the loss that also handed them their first three-game losing streak of the season.
Four goals in the opening period were alternated by the two sides resulting in a 2-2 tie that would last until the early third. Kye Benoche and Oakley McIlwain netted their ninth and seventh goals of the season, respectfully. McIlwain’s goal sets him in a second-place tie for goals by a defensemen and extended his point streak to seven games.
Maddox Amaral picked up his sixth goal of the season and the Broncos, who played a solid hockey game till this point, had their first lead of the game. However, it all came crashing down.
Jerome Maharaj went on a one-man mission, scoring the game tying goal on the powerplay, then the game winning goal shortly after, while also assisting the insurance marker to Turner McIntyre. An empty net goal was added by Blake Betson, and if that weren’t enough, the Broncos, who had lost the game by this point, conceded a seventh in the final minute to Ashtyn Shields.
The Broncos powerplay continues to struggle, unsuccessful in another five attempts, thus marking 17 straight powerplays without a goal.
The southern swing continues with back-to-back games in Estevan. The Bruins sit only five points back of Humboldt with three games in hand, making a crucial 8-point swing up for grabs this weekend.