The fans got their money's worth this week at the Elgar Petersen Arena. For the second straight night, the Humboldt Broncos defeated the Flin Flon Bombers in overtime 4-3.
Kye Benoche was the overtime hero this time, pouncing on a loose rebound, to even up the best of seven series at 2-2.
Dazza Mitchell continued his strong postseason, making 57 saves to earn the victory. Over the last two games, the veteran netminder has made 119 saves over a span of 161:03.
Tre Fouquette opened the scoring for Humboldt, as his shot banked off the backboards, and ricocheted off the skate of Bombers Goalie Matthew Kieper and into the net.
Flin Flon responded on their first power play in the game with Rylan Ringor scoring his fourth goal of the playoffs.
Jacob Strizzi put the Broncos back in front with a power play goal, as the green and gold led after 40 minutes.
The lone goal in the second period came off the stick of Marik Mamic, who fired a shot from the slot, another power play goal as the Broncos led by a pair after 40 minutes.
Landen Stromme almost extended the advantage for Humboldt to three goals, as his shot beat Kieper, but the puck didn’t cross the line.
In the final moments of the second period, defenceman Liam Rodman absorbed a hit along the boards that left a cut on his face. Rodman needed assistance as he left the ice surface, he didn’t return to the game. No penalty was called against the Bombers on play as the only infraction called was against Broncos defenceman Callum Desbrow for roughing.
The third period saw another two-goal comeback by Flin Flon. Ryder Mucha scored on the power play to cut the gap to a goal. 33 seconds later, the Bombers tied the game with Keefe Gruener providing the goal.
It was a similar start to overtime in Game 4 compared to Game 3 as the Bombers started out chancing the Broncos but were unable to solve Mitchell. Momentum swung back in Humboldt’s favour as Strizzi had a glorious chance to end the game when Bombers defenceman Liam Hunks stick broke on a clearing attempt, but Strizzi couldn’t beat Kieper.
With just under three minutes remaining in overtime, Strizzi’s shot left a rebound in front of the net and Benoche buried it, giving the Broncos the victory.
Humboldt was 2/7 on the power play, while Flin Flon was 2/9 with the extra man advantage.
Benoche’s moved into a tie for the leader of playoff goals (4). Strizzi ended the night with three points (1G-2A).
Kieper made 28 saves in the loss.
After the game, Associate Coach Carter Hansen says it’s been another rollercoaster ride for the Broncos.
“I think this series has also summed our season to a T.”
Hansen added, “We have to make everything entertaining, but it’s part of the journey, part of the fun.”
He noted especially with the departure of Rodman during the game, it was a real team effort.
“Just to have everyone battling and doing what they can to get a win and to get ourselves back in the series and we accomplished that.”
On Saturday, the Broncos and Bombers will face off in Game 5, as the series that started out as a best of seven has now been reduced to a best of three series.
Last night’s victory also ensured that there would be at least one more game at the Elgar Petersen Arena, regardless of Saturday’s result, as Game 6 will go on Monday night.
With the series shifting back to Manitoba on Saturday for Game 5, coverage on Bolt FM begins at 6:15, and the opening puck drops at 6:30.