The Humboldt Broncos picked up some momentum in game one. Will it carry over into game two? (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Becky Zimmer

Semi-finals, begin

Broncos bombard Schell, not enough to break Bombers in game one

Apr 2, 2022 | 9:28 AM

A green and gold comeback would not be enough to take game one of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League semi-final series as the Humboldt Broncos fell 3-1 to the Flin Flon Bombers Friday night.

Round two kicked off at the Elgar Petersen Arena (EPA) to a packed crowd, but the Broncos would be slow-moving to start the series.

Assistant coach Carter Hansen told northeastNOW that it was not the start they were looking for but he was proud of how his players performed as the game progressed.

“We played second, third period I thought we really took the play to them, used our speed, got pucks in deep, threw every puck we could at the net, and I think at the end of the day we can be pretty happy with how we played that 60 minutes.”

Penalty trouble got to the Broncos with Flin Flon’s Reece Richmond and Jaeden Mercier both scoring on the power play in the first to make it 2-0 going into the second.

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While both teams battled back, the second would do little to change the score as the Bombers and the Broncos could not capitalize on power plays and both firing nearly 10 shots on goalies Rayce Ramsay and Cal Schell, that score would remain going into the third.

The Broncos would pick up some momentum in the third to fire 16 shots to Flin Flon’s six, but only Braiden Koran would find the back of the net with a tip in getting past Schell.

Even pulling Ramsay for the man advantage would not improve the Broncos’ attack as an empty netter from Drew Kuzma would seal Flin Flon’s game one win.

The shot clock in the third showed that turnaround for the Broncos, said Hansen, and they need more of that as the series progresses.

“We just got to keep doing that, keep pressing. They play very well, solidly defensively. They got a good goalie in net so it’s not going to be easy, but I think if we keep throwing pucks towards the net, we’ll get the odd rebound there and we got to find a way to put it in.”

This is the second team the Broncos are playing from the SJHL Sherwood Division, the Broncos are coming off a very physical series against the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

While La Ronge played tough, Flin Flon is playing with speed and more technical skill Ramsay told northeastNOW.

“I’d say La Ronge is a little more gritty and chippy, you know. It was a very physical series and it was a little more skilled out there today rather than physical, so we just got to adjust and play our game.”

The Broncos and Bombers are right back at it tomorrow at the EPA for game two of the series.

Ramsay said they will be watching some video to see what they can do better as well as resting up for game two. He hopes the same electric crowd will be out again in force to cheer on the Broncos. Given the distance, an impressive Flin Flon fan base also was out in force and will be right back at the EPA as well.

Puck drop is at 7:30.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim