The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoffs begin tonight with all four series getting underway, including the Humboldt Broncos meeting the Flin Flon Bombers.
During the regular season, the Broncos and Bombers met on four occasions, but each team hosted their opponent in back-to-back games in the season.
The Broncos managed a split in Flin Flon at the end of October, while the Bombers were able to sweep the two-game set in January.
With the two teams meeting only through a couple of weekends during the season, Broncos Head Coach Brayden Klimosko says that might be an advantage for his team, with a greater chance of sneaking up on their opponent.
Goalie Dazza Mitchell made his debut with the Broncos against the Bombers shortly after being acquired by the team from the Weyburn Red Wings. During the first two games, the 20-year-old netminder made 80 saves after he faced 86 shots. Over the last two months, Mitchell has settled into the Broncos providing a veteran presence in their crease with a 9-5-1-2 record, .932 SV% and a 2.40 GAA.
On the other side of the ice, the Broncos will try and solve the top goalie in the SJHL, Matthew Kieper. The former WHL veteran was named both the MVP and Top Goalie of the SJHL for the regular season, finishing with a 23-2-1-1 record, a .935 SV% and a sparkling 1.80 GAA.
In their final regular season game, Humboldt ended their scoreless drought on the power play with a pair of goals against the Nipawin Hawks. The goals were more gritty than stylish and Klimosko says that trend has to continue for the green and gold in the postseason, especially facing the top goalie in the SJHL.
“When Kieper is in net, they’ve only allowed three goals on the PK, so with that, it basically says they’re pretty good on it, so let’s generate some simple chances, get pucks towards the net, and then hopefully we’ll get some success that way.”
Awaiting the Broncos will be a lively crowd in Flin Flon, the Whitney Forum has been dubbed “The Zoo,” making lives difficult for the Bombers opponents. Klimosko expects a loud crowd in Flin Flon, but believes it can also help the green and gold as well.
“It’s a hostile environment, that should get you ramped for games and usually makes play your best games I feel like.”
Flin Flon was 22-4-1-1 at the Whitney Forum this season, only the Melfort Mustangs had a better home record. While the Broncos were the fifth best team away from the Elgar Petersen Arena, with a 15-11-1-1 record.
Games one and two will be in Flin Flon, and with the games taking place in Manitoba, will have a start time in Saskatchewan at 6:30.
The series will shift back to Humboldt on Tuesday with game three and then game four on Wednesday night. Opening faceoff for both games is 7:30.
You can listen to each game on 107.5 Bolt FM and DiscoverHumboldt.com