Even with two losses this past week, Humboldt Broncos forward Alec Saretzky fought hard on the forward line with two goals and two assists in three games. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Becky Zimmer

SJHL action

Tough week for Broncos after split with Bombers

Nov 29, 2021 | 10:25 AM

A hard fought victory capped off a tough week of Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action for the Humboldt Broncos.

With three home games on the schedule, the green and gold had two losses in the books before a last minute win on home ice Sunday afternoon.

Playing two games against the Flin Flon Bombers, who are now in fourth place in the league, Broncos head coach Scott Barney told northeastNOW that means playing against the best junior hockey defense the league has to offer as well as a strong goalie in Cal Schell.

“They work every shift, you know, they do make a lot of little plays very well.”

It was a full week at home for the green and gold starting with a visit from La Ronge on Nov. 25.

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After a scoreless first period, the Ice Wolves would strike first early in the second with Alec Saretzky answering back midway through the second with help from Ethan Zielke and Rhett Gibson.

That would be all the Broncos would get with the third period being a La Ronge only zone following a goal a piece from Anthony Oviedo and Logan Gallaher.

New Broncos goalie, William Dyke, would take the loss in goal with 23 out of 26 saves.

Speaking after the game, Broncos captain Kade Olsen told northeastNOW playing strong for the first two periods doesn’t matter if they can’t finish strong in the third. The Broncos did take La Ronge’s 10th spot placement in the SJHL standings for granted, he said.

Following another 3-2 loss at home on Nov. 27 against the visiting Flin Flon Bombers, Broncos goalie Rayce Ramsay said the game this past week was a wake up call.

Humboldt goalie William Dyke made his first appearance in the Broncos’ net against La Ronge on Nov. 25. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

“We were on a pretty hot stretch there for a while and we’ve lost two in a row now so we know that every game we play from now on is going to be that intense like it was tonight,” Ramsay said.

The Broncos struck first with a goal from Matthew Perkins with help from Conner McGrath and Noah Barlage. Two goals from the Bombers put the green and gold behind going into the second, however, Cage Newans would add his seventh of the season with help from Olsen to tie it up going into the third.

Once again, the Broncos would fall behind following a sharp angle shot into the bottom corner past Ramsay.

Even with the loss, Ramsay said the team was strong on the penalty kill with Flin Flon failing to score on all five of their power plays.

The following afternoon would be the rematch for the Broncos where once again they were strong on the penalty kill with Flin Flon scoring only once out of six possible power play chances. The Broncos would capitalize on their own chances with two goals coming on power plays of their own.

Saretzky would be the first to light up the scoreboard for the Broncos to cut the Flin Flon lead to 2-1 midway through the second.

Perkins’ 15th of the season would tie up the game going into the third.

It would be back and forth in the third to make for a nail biting end to the game with a goal from Flin Flon’s Nathan Gagne starting off the last period which was answered by the Bronco’s Reilly Mckinnon and his second goal of the season. With time ticking down, Bomber Cole Duperreault struck next with the response coming from Bronco Nicksha Eric.

With only 30 seconds left of the period, Saretzky would strike again to bring the Broncos the lead and the 4-3 win.

With 27 games now under their belt, the Broncos have retained first place with 40 points in the SJHL. However, it is tight at the top with the Estevan Bruins following close behind in second place with 38 points in 25 games. The Battleford North Stars are hanging on to third place with 37 points in 26 games with a seven game winning streak.

The Broncos are back on the road this week as they take a trip to Kindersley on Tuesday to mark their halfway point through the season followed by a double rematch against the Bombers once again to kick off December.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim