The Humboldt Broncos ended a five-game losing streak in dramatic fashion.
The Broncos earned a 4-3 shootout victory over the Melville Millionaires at home on Nov. 1. Corey Dambrauskas and Rock Ruschkowski scored in the shootout for Humboldt, while goalie Brett Clark kept three of the four shooters he faced at bay.
“It was a big win for our group – very deserving. We played hard. … We stuck with it and found a way,” Humboldt head coach Darcy Haugan said.
After the win, Humboldt sported a 6-10-2-1 record. Haugan noted that the team has been competitive in the majority of its games this season.
“We really got to learn what it takes to win,” Haugan said. “It is every day you come to the rink, we got to get better.”
This week the Broncos have two games. They host Estevan on Nov. 3 and play at Melville on Nov. 7.
Against Melville, it seemed to be Ruschkowski’s night. The 18-year-old from Calgary and Jarrett Fontaine scored in the first period to stake Humboldt to a 2-0 lead. Melville scored twice in the second session to tie things up. Melville took a 3-2 lead in the third period, but Ruschkowski’s second goal of the night just 35 seconds later tied things up to send things to overtime and, eventually, a shootout. Clark recorded 36 saves for Humboldt.
Haugan praised the play of the line of Ruschkowski, Tristan Hermanson, and Laramie Kostelanski. He said chemistry is developing and they have competed well against other teams’ top lines.
“The big thing is they are working hard,” Haugan said. “They are moving their feet. They are finishing their checks.”
In the shootout, Dambrauskas scored after two Broncos were unable to light the lamp. Ruschkowski then delivered the game winner.
“It is a cruel game,” Haugan said. “We were a shooter away from losing and being disappointed.”
Tyler Kreklewich had two goals for the Millionaires, while Cole Filler also scored. Melville goalie Brandon Wells had 37 saves.
The week began for the Broncos with a hard-fought 2-1 shootout loss to the Flin Flon Bombers on Oct. 27 at home. It took 12 rounds to decide the shootout.
Kyle Craddock lit the lamp for Humboldt. Clark had 42 saves and stopped 10 of the 12 shots he faced in the shootout. Humboldt was one for 12 in the shootout.
Michael Knaub lit the lamp in the shootout to secure the victory for Flin Flon. Joel Kocur scored the Bombers’ goal in regulation. Brenden Newton made 36 saves before stopping 11 more shots in regulation.
On Oct. 28, the Broncos outshot the Kindersley Klippers an astounding 43-17 on the road. However, Kindersley scored twice in the second period and hung on for a 2-1 victory.
Kostelansky had his first goal of the year for the Broncos. Brett Friesen stopped 15 of the 17 shots he faced for Humboldt.
Daniell Lange scored twice for Kindersley. Branden Bilodeau started in net for the Klippers and made 34 saves. Nathan Hargrave had eight saves when Bilodeau was forced to leave due to an injury.
The Broncos fell 6-4 on the road Oct. 30 to the Yorkton Terriers. Humboldt trailed 1-0 after the first period. The Broncos exploded for four goas in the second to take a 4-3 lead. The Terriers barked back with a trio of goals in the third.
Daniel McKitrick scored twice for the Broncos. McKitrick leads the Broncos with six goals and 11 points in 11 games. Dambrauskas and Wesley Shipton had Humboldt’s other goals against Yorkton. Clark made 31 saves on 36 shots.
Brandon Sookro scored a hat trick for the Terriers. Also scoring for Yorkton were McKenzie Welke, Jordan Evans, and Regan Seiferling. Jakob Severson made 19 saves.
Catching Up With
Luke Strueby (2003-2006), a Marysburg product, works as a substitute teacher in Wakaw. His wife is an RCMP constable in the community. In addition to teaching, Strueby, along with his brother Paul, scouts for the Broncos.
“What I enjoyed most about playing with the Broncos is the lifelong friendships I gained from my time there,” Strueby wrote in an email interview. “I still keep in touch with many of my ex-teammates and coaches and some of them are my closest friends.”
Strueby also served as a Broncos assistant coach for the 2012-2013 season.
