The Humboldt Broncos are officially in the post season.
For the 8th straight year, the Broncos have punched their ticket to the SJHL Playoffs following a 4-1 victory in the last-ever meeting with the Notre Dame Hounds.
The Notre Dame Hounds, who will be relocating to Warman, SK next season, paid one final visit to the Elgar Petersen Arena on Friday. The SJHL’s two most geographically separated ‘natural-rivals’ dropped the puck one final time, with Humboldt, who had controlled much of the rivalry over the last handful of years, picking up one final win.
Humboldt controlled the opening period and gained a 2-0 lead with goals from Kye Benoche and Landen Stromme. Benoche picked up his second of the game and 18th of the season, bookending the game with an empty net sealer. Meanwhile, Stromme’s 10th of the season has now set a career-high in goals, assists, and points in the captain’s SJHL career.
The Hounds, who have now lost a league-high 18 games in a row, found their lone goal off a net-front scramble that was knocked home by DJ Freigang.
With the game at a closer-than-expected 2-1 score, Connor Miller restored the Broncos insurance in the final frame with his 11th of the season.
Jacob Strizzi picked up assists on three of the Broncos four goals, elevating his point total to 69 on the season and now just two back of the league-lead.
Dazza Mitchell turned aside 26 of 27 who now owns an outstanding .931 SV% as a Humboldt Bronco.
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The Humboldt Broncos salvaged a point in their final home regular season game on Sunday with a 2-1 shootout loss to the Kindersley Klippers.
With the point, the Broncos moved into sole possession for the 6th spot in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings, one point ahead of the Battlefords North Stars. Both teams have two games remaining in their schedule.
In Sunday’s game there was no scoring during the opening 40 minutes, as it was scoreless heading into the final frame.
Marik Mamic opened the scoring with his 23rd goal of the season to give the Broncos the lead.
Dawson Karol tied the game for Kindersley, pushing the game into overtime.
Zakery Anderson scored the winner with less than a minute, giving Kindersley the victory and moving them one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. The Klippers lead the La Ronge Ice Wolves by five points for the final playoff spot. Kindersley has two games remaining, while La Ronge has three.
Dazza Mitchell made 32 saves for the Broncos, while Klipper netminder Cody Jaman also had 32 saves.
Humboldt was 0/3 on the power play but were able to successfully kill off all six penalties.
Both of the Broncos final two games are on the road. They will head to Weyburn on Tuesday and then on Friday they travel to Nipawin. Humboldt can finish 5th in the standings with a pair of wins along with Melville losing their final two games.
Tuesday’s game is a makeup game that was previously postponed from November 29th. Coverage on Bolt FM begins at 6:45, opening faceoff is 7:00.