The Humboldt Broncos may have lost their first game of a three-game home stand last week, but wins over the Nipawin Hawks and Battlefords North Stars over the weekend moved the Broncos to top spot in the SJHL's north division.
Only 49 seconds into the opening frame, Nipawin's Ben Johnstone was called for high sticking. The Broncos' power play pounced with John Lawrence lighting the lamp at the 1:47 mark to give the hometown team an early 1-0 lead. Despite four more man-advantage opportunities, the Broncos' next goal was an even-strength effort by Cody Pettapiece to make it 2-0.
Nipawin cut the margin in half, when Tayler Balog scored with 1:34 left in the first.
At the end of 20 minutes, Humboldt not only held a 2-1 lead but also held a 16-8 advantage in shots on goal.
The second frame was a much more disciplined effort as the Hawks were assessed two minors and the Broncos, three minors, but neither team's power play was able to capitalize.
Nipawin's Artsiom Kalashnikov knotted the game at 2-2 when he found the back of the net at the 8:31 mark. But the Broncos reared back and this time it was Brandon Tidy finding the twine at the 7:48 mark to give the hometown team a 3-2 lead at the end of 40 minutes.
Only 58 seconds into the final period, Hawk Tad Kozun scored to tie the game at 3-3 with practically an entire period still to play.
The Broncos got the final say when Carter Page scored what turned out to be the winning goal at the 16:41 mark to give Humboldt the 4-3 win.
Picking up assists throughout the evening were Logan Sproule, Cody Pongracz, Joey Davies, Matthew Audette, David Miazga, Ryan Aubertin and David Stumborg.
Humboldt was assessed five minor penalties while Nipawin sent nine men to the sin bin for minor infractions.
Despite Humboldt's early shots-on-goal lead at the end of 20 minutes, it was Nipawin who out-shot the hometown Broncos by a margin of 36 to 32 at the end of 60 minutes.
Matt Hrynkiw was between the pipes for the Humboldt win, while Hawks goaltender Davis Jones was tagged with the loss.
Saturday night, the Broncos laced on the blades against the Battlefords North Stars.
A fast-paced, well played opening period kept fans on the edge of their seats as both teams had excellent scoring opportunities.
At the 6:18 mark, Joey Davies, set up by Rhett Blackmur and Cody Pongracz, gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead - one that would stand for the remainder of the period.
Minutes into the second frame, Broncos' centreman John Lawrence notched his 15th of the season giving Humboldt a brief 2-0 lead. Adam Antkowiak and Carter Page were credited with assists.
Only 34 seconds later, Battlefords' Tanner Quinn beat Matt Hrynkiw high over his left shoulder to make it a 2-1 game. Assisting on the goal were Dillon Forbes and Brody Luhning.
From the 4:12 mark until the end of the period, there was a steady stream of Broncos making their way to the penalty box. At one point, the hometown boys found themselves playing three on five for almost a full minute, at which time the team had an excellent scoring chance and just missed taking a two-goal lead. It was only a matter of time before the North Stars' power play would capitalize and it was 10 seconds after David Miazga's boarding call at the 16:15 mark that Battlefords' Luhning scored the equalizer, knotting the game at two-apiece. Assists went to Forbes and Josh Betinol.
This set up an exciting third period, when the players were given an opportunity to play with only four minor penalties, three to Humboldt and one to North Battleford were called. While both teams generated excellent scoring opportunities, neither was able to light the lamp and at the end of regulation the score was tied at 2-2.
For the Broncos it was their second overtime in three games but this time it would be settled without a shootout.
Centre Joey Davies and defence man David Stumborg were instrumental in Adam Antkowiak's game-winning goal to give the Broncos the 3-2 overtime victory at the 4:22 mark of OT.
Hrynkiw faced 41 shots making 39 saves while Battlefords netminder Casey Parker was tested 28 times, turning away 25.
The Broncos hosted the LaRonge Ice Wolves on Tuesday night.
