(Submitted photo/Marla Possberg, Humboldt Broncos)

By Ben Tompkins

Back on the upswing

Broncos finding it again, as 2023 portion of season comes to an end

Dec 22, 2023 | 11:33 AM

The Humboldt Broncos are heading at quite a respectable pace this SJHL season, as they have now reached the Christmas break.

The Broncos have had two pretty good stretches within their 2023 portion of the campaign, along with a small struggle mixed-in, as they’re primed to battle for a top-two spot in the league in 2024.

“We’re really happy with our group here, which is probably one of the youngest in the league, and playing with a younger group comes with some ups and downs, but I think a lot of guys have taken some major growth in getting opportunities to play when some years maybe they wouldn’t,” said head coach, Scott Barney.

“Our expectation is always to win every game that we’re in and we’re looking towards a championship. I know that’s our players’ goal, and we’ll keep pushing the development side of things, as we feel the best way to develop is to get wins as well.”

Humboldt began their development right off the bat, as the club didn’t lose a game in regulation, in their first 15 tries.

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They also made sure to finish strong heading into the new year, as they’re seven and three in their last 10.

“The level of play picks up in the second half, so that’s something we’ll have to address to our younger group here and I know our veteran group will make sure of that as well,” Barney added.

“I think the biggest thing is having that playoff mentality before it starts and that starts in your practice habits, your off-ice habits and your conditioning habits, so I think that’s going to be a big thing for a team like us who we feel skates very well and competes hard. We need to keep that going and get it to the next gear here.”

A big reason for the club’s success, outside of a 1 and 4 stretch, this year has been the play of their goalie tandem.

Their current netminder duo ranks fifth and seventh in goals-against-average, as well as save percentage.

“We’re very happy with both (Benjamin) Motew and (Aidan) Fischer, they’ve won us some games this season and to be able to be successful, you got to have not only good goaltending but you need great goaltending,” Barney told northeastNOW.

“I think Motew’s last two or three games have been as good as any goalie’s in the league and we’re excited for the second half here with both of them pushing each other. I think it’s a good opportunity for them and it give us an opportunity to win on any different night, which is the most important thing.”

The Broncs will get back on the ice Friday, Jan. 5, when they head to Yorkton to face the Terriers.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8