Friday: Battlefords 5 Humboldt 1
The Broncos may want to immediately throw out the game tape from Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Battlefords North Stars, and after a 9-game point streak, they’ve had a small set back, dropping two-straight.
It came down to effort at the Access Communications Centre, Battlefords simply wanted it more. It was no surprise the North Stars were hungry entering the game as the Broncos handed them a 10-3 beatdown in the meeting prior. The surprising part was Humboldt didn’t seem ready for it.
Battlefords scored five straight goals throughout the first and second period from five different goal scorers.
Logan Goodwin, Jackson Allen, Rylan Williams, Nikita Ivaschenko, and Jace Rask built a 5-0 lead, which was the largest deficit the Broncos have faced all season when heading into the third period.
On a positive note, the prerogative in the third period was to finish strong and carry over any potential momentum and wherewithal into the rematch that would take place back in Humboldt on Saturday. The Broncos succeeded in that regard by winning the third period 1-0 from a Maddox Amaral powerplay goal while outshooting the North Stars 12-11.
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Saturday: Humboldt 5 Battlefords 3
The Humboldt Broncos were three minutes to dropping back-to-back games against the North Stars, but the final three-goal charge lifted the Broncos to a 5-3 victory on Saturday night.
Brady Holtvogt earned the win for the Broncos, as he came in relief for Dazza Mitchell for the final 40 minutes. North Stars Linken Fisher collided with Mitchell in the late stages of the first period that forced Mitchell’s exit following the first intermission.
Battlefords jumped ahead with a pair of first period goals.
Humboldt battled back in the second period, Landen Stromme and Kye Benoche scored evening the score after 40 minutes.
Nikita Ivaschenko gave the North Stars the advantage with a power play marker early in the final period.
But the Broncos responded with a crucial comeback, Brayden Skogstad tied the game.46 seconds later, Jacob Strizzi scored his 27th goal of the year, handing Humboldt their first lead of the game. Marik Mamic capped off the scoring, adding a goal with one second on the clock, as the Broncos managed to steal a pair of points away from the North Stars.
With files from Rory McGouran
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Monday: Yorkton 5 Humboldt 4 F/SO
With free admission on Family Day, a big crowd at the Elgar Petersen Arena were treated to a back-and-forth game between the Broncos and Yorkton Terriers. In the end, the scales tipped in favour for the Terriers as they picked up a 5-4 shootout win.
This time it was the Broncos who started off with a two-goal lead after the opening 20 minutes, with Rylan Hue and Maddox Amaral putting the Broncos on the scoreboard.
Yorkton responded with a pair of goals in a 12-second span to even up the game at two.
Humboldt bounced back with a pair of goals to regain a two-goal advantage, Boris Kofman and Marik Mamic had the goals for the Broncos.
Jaron Desnoyers answered back with two power play goals to send the game into overtime.
Extra time solved nothing, forcing a shootout. Jacob Strizzi and David Coyle each scored, forcing an extra round in the shootout. After Cade Kennedy was denied, Carter Brilitz scored to give the Terriers the extra point.
Brady Holtvogt continued his busy weekend, making 30 saves in the loss. The local product ended up playing 165 minutes of the three-game weekend.
Yorkton’s power play was 2/6, while Humboldt was 1/3.
The Broncos were unable to make up some ground on the Terriers, who are in 4th place in the league standings with 61 points. The Broncos are in 6th spot with 52 points.
Next action for the Broncos will be on Friday, when they begin a home-and-home set with the Melfort Mustangs in Melfort.
The two teams will meet for the final time in the regular season on Saturday night in Humboldt.