The La Ronge Ice Wolves lead the series by 2-1 in the first round against the Humboldt Broncos. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

playoffs

Ice Wolves lead series 2-1 over Broncos

Mar 23, 2022 | 1:36 PM

The La Ronge Ice Wolves were able to hold back the Humboldt Broncos during Game 3 of the first round of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoffs.

The Ice Wolves secured a 4-2 win at the Mel Hegland Uniplex, even though the Broncos were up 2-1 at the end of the first period. Kade Olsen of the Broncos scored the first goal of the game about three minutes in, which was followed by a powerplay goal from his teammate Alec Saretzky a few minutes later. Those would be the team’s only goals of the game.

Near the end of the first, the Ice Wolves’ Liam McInnis made a powerplay goal with assists by Mkyllan Couture and Brandon Della Paolera. Second period goals were scored by Colten Thompson and Nate Looft (powerplay), while the Ice Wolves fourth goal came from Kole Christensson who did so on an empty net.

Shots on net were 41 for La Ronge and 39 for Humboldt.

“I thought we played a good, solid 50 minutes, but we got to be better and play 60 minutes against a very, very good team,” Ice Wolves head coach Kevin Kaminski said. “This team can strike at any time. They have unbelievable skills, so we have to really stay on our toes and take the play from them and not stand around and watch.”

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The two teams will play again Wednesday for Game 4 at La Ronge’s Mel Hegland Uniplex at 7:30 p.m. While the Ice Wolves will be looking to play like they did during the last two periods last night, Broncos head coach Scott Barney would like to see his team play like they did in the first.

“Obviously, I thought we had a good start, but La Ronge had a couple good goals on those powerplay opportunities and that was the difference in the game,” he said. “I thought maybe there were some unfortunate calls the in a game. I thought for sure the third and fourth calls were definitely maybe penalties that could have been called earlier both ways, but that’s the refs decision.”

La Ronge coach Kevin Kaminski called last night’s crowd phenomenal. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Both coaches, however, were impressed by the energy coming from the crowd last night. There were approximately 650 people in attendance, but Kaminski said it seemed more like 1,000 fans were there. Barney noted it was nice to see La Ronge with so much support.

“The more we can get crowds like that in the SJ, it’s good for everyone,” he said. “It should be another good environment and it would be good for both teams and players to have a crowd like that at games.”

Sherwood Forward of the Year recognized

Before last night’s game started, a special presentation was made by SJHL president Bill Chow who honoured Ice Wolves Brandon Della Paolera with the Sherwood Division Forward of the Year award. He joined the Ice Wolves in the 2020/2021 season.

An assistant captain, Paolera played in all 58 games this season having scored 18 goals and made 38 assists for 56 points.

Bill Chow is pictured handing the award to Brandon Della Paolera. (Megan Heyhurst Photography)

“BP has been pretty consistent all year long. I mean, 56 points in 58 games. He’s an ironman,” Kaminski said. “He finds ways to get on the scoresheet every night. I really feel since the start of playoffs, he’s upped his game by really doing the little things.”

Paolera is from Osoyoos, British Columbia, where he played with his hometown Osoyoos Coyotes for two seasons. Away from hockey, he serves with the La Ronge Regional Fire Department.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno