The Broncos will learn Tuesday who they face off in Round 2. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Junior Hockey

Broncos headed for round two after Game 6 win against Ice Wolves

Mar 28, 2022 | 4:57 PM

The Humboldt Broncos advanced to round two of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) after eliminating the La Ronge Ice Wolves in Game 6.

The Broncos took an early lead in Sunday’s game with a goal by Cage Newans to end the first period 1-0. That was followed by a second goal by teammate Lucas Ceccarelli, but two power play goals in the second by Taylor Webb of the Ice Wolves ended the period 2-2.

During the third, the Broncos were quick to strike back with another goal from Newans seven minutes in and another goal by Ceccarelli only seconds later. Ryley Morgan was able to score a third and final goal for the Ice Wolves, but there was no coming back after Broncos Rhett Gibson scored on a power play and the game ended 5-3 for Humboldt.

“It was a good six game series,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said. “La Ronge battled hard, you’ve got to give them credit. They fought hard every night, even right until the last whistle. Obviously, it was tough to end the season there for them. I know we are pretty excited going on to the next one.”

Barney explained his team has been relatively well conditioned heading into playoffs. He said the Broncos were able to capitalize on opportunities and make the right moves at the right time during the games. Barney gives credit to his entire roster as they prepare for round two.

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“Obviously, it starts with our goaltending. Ramsay has been outstanding the whole season,” he said. “The list just keeps going on and on. I think it’s our depth through our four lines of forwards that can really change games.”

The Broncos will learn Tuesday who they face in round two, but the team will next play Friday and Saturday in Humboldt.

Broncos win ‘crushing blow’ for Ice Wolves

Although they are bowing out of the SJHL playoffs sooner than they wanted, Ice Wolves head coach Kevin Kaminski is proud of how his players performed.

“I think all the analysts and critics and whatever you want to call them, they were projecting Humboldt in four. They all said a sweep,” he said. “I give my boys a lot of credit. They played with passion, they played with character, resiliency, tenaciousness. They played their hearts out and for that I can’t ask for much more. It was a very crushing blow last night to get knocked out. I felt our boys deserved a lot better.”

Looking back at the season, Kaminski noted the Ice Wolves came a long way since the start. During the first few months, there were several injuries and turmoil that kept them back, but there was big turn around since November. Kaminski added he gives a lot of credit to the 20-year-olds who stepped up and showed leadership inside and outside of the locker room.

Coming up next, the Ice Wolves will host their annual camp at the end of May in Saskatoon. Kaminski will also begin recruiting for the 2022/23 season and travel to places such as Calgary, Medicine Hat, Vancouver and Las Vegas.

Kaminski wanted to thank board members, his assistant coach Kyle Schneider and everyone else for the hard work and support during the 2021/22 season.

“I want to thank the fans and the tri-community support,” he said. “It was great to see the rink packed here in playoffs and hopefully next year we can go a little farther and give them more to cheer about.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno