The Humboldt Broncos have won back-to-back games for the first time since November 9th thanks to a four-goal third period comeback, defeating the Battlefords North Stars 5-3 on Friday night.
Additionally, the Broncos comeback effort marked just the second time this season they were able to find victory when trailing heading into the third period. The last time they accomplished that feat was the same November 9th game against the Melville Millionaires.
All of those timestamps are now a thing of the past as a new streak begins.
Jacob Strizzi bookended the scoring for the Broncos, netting his 21st and 22nd of the season for the game’s opening goal and the eventual game winning goal.
Outside of a three-minute stretch in the second period, the Broncos were structurally sound and tenacious on the night. Within those three minutes. they gave up their lead and conceded two additional goals to trail 3-1 heading into the third period. Bryce Boughen, Anthony Campbell, and Kobe Sawyer were credited with the goals with Boughen’s and Campbell’s coming just 11 seconds apart.
The third period was wonderfully executed by Humboldt in all three facets of the ice while outshooting the North Stars 12-6 in the process and 41-35 overall.
Orin Olson started the comeback with his second of the season, and Brayden Skogstad tied the game with his fourth before Strizzi’s game winner. Landon Stromme finished with two points on the night including the empty netter for his fourth of the year as well.
The penalty kill was exceptional working towards a perfect 6 for 6 on the night. They were not blessed with as many calls and their powerplay went 0/2.
Bradey Holtvogt turned aside 32 of 35 while picking up his fifth win of the season, and first victory since……you guessed it…… November 9th.
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Despite the freezing cold temperatures outside, North Stars forward Colton Getzlaff was on fire Saturday night. He scored all four Battlefords goals and the lone shootout goal as the Broncos dropped the backend of the home and home set 5-4 in a shootout.
Getzlaff opened the scoring with a powerplay marker to grab Battlefords the lead.
The Broncos battled with a pair of goals to take the lead. Cade Kennedy continued his strong start with his third goal with Humboldt and then Landen Stromme fired his 5th marker of the season to move the green and gold ahead.
Before the end of the period, Getzlaff tied the game with his second goal of the game.
Humboldt regained the lead in the second as Marik Mamic scored shorthanded after Conner Miller created a turnover deep in Battlefords end.
Getzlaff scored his hat trick goal to tie the game after 40 minutes.
The Broncos jumped when Mamic scored his second goal of the game, but Getzlaff added his fourth of the game, this time on the power play, to force overtime.
Battlefords netminder Thomas Soborski stopped all three Broncos shooters to give the North Stars the extra point.
Dazza Mitchell made 38 saves in the loss.
The North Stars were 2/4 on the extra-man advantage while Humboldt was 0/3.
Humboldt remains in 8th spot of the SJHL standings at 37 points (17-17-2-1) and trails the Melville Millionaires by two points for 7th place.
On tap for the Broncos this week are two games. On Tuesday, they will head to Nipawin to meet the Hawks and then they will return to home ice on Thursday to host the Notre Dame Hounds.
With files from Rory McGouran