After three games, the Humboldt Broncos trailed the Weyburn Red Wings two games to one in their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Wild Card Series.
The Broncos were victorious in the first game, but the Red Wings won the next two. Game four was slated to be held March 10 in Weyburn. If the Broncos push the series to the limit, the final game of the best-of-five showdown will happen March 12 at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
After game two, Humboldt head coach Ryan Smith said the two teams were very even. The first three games featured two shutouts.
The No. 1 seeded Melfort Mustangs and the Kindersley Klippers, the No. 2 seed, await the winners of this Wild Card Series as well as No. 10 Estevan vs. No. 7 Battlefords. The North Stars led the Bruins 2-1 after three games. Humboldt entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, while Weyburn was No. 9. Melfort will take on the lowest seed that makes it to the second round.
Game 3
Red Wings 2, Broncos 0
Humboldt fell 2-0 on March 9 at the EPA. Weyburn scored a goal in each of the first two periods. Humboldt goalie Jack Romanuik stopped 24 of the 26 shots he faced.
The Broncos outshot Weyburn 31-26 but were unable to get one past Jack Burgart. Scoring for the Red Wings were Trevor Gerrin and captain Josh Lees. Weyburn’s first goal came on a power play.
Game 2
Red Wings 5, Broncos 1
The Red Wings knotted up the series with a game two victory at home on March 7. Weyburn led 1-0 after the first period and grabbed a 4-0 advantage by the second intermission.
“They came out and they wanted the game,” said Smith, who noted his team had a disappointing effort.
In the third period, defenceman Colton Laroque scored Humboldt’s goal on a power play. Smith said that Romanuik played well in turning away 37 of the 42 shots he faced.
Lees scored his squad’s first two goals. Ian Parker, Drake Glover, and Aidan Teilborhg also scored for the Red Wings. Burgert made 29 saves.
Game 1
Broncos 4, Red Wings 0
Humboldt grabbed the early series lead with a win at home on March 6. It was a tight 1-0 game until less than two minutes remained in the third period. The Broncos had two empty-net goals and a power-play marker late in the contest.
“It was one of our best efforts all around – especially in the defensive zone,” said Smith, who emphasized it was a strong team effort.
The score sheet showed Humboldt allowing 28 shots. Smith said most were from the perimeter. Romanuik handled all that was thrown his way.
At the other end of the ice, Jarrett Fontaine scored an even strength goal in the second period to give Humboldt the lead. He added an empty net goal in the third. Smith said that Fontaine played well. Sty Symenuk had an empty net goal, while defenceman Corey Dambrauskas scored on the power-play with less than half a minute left. The Calgary product had two points on the night.
Burgart stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced.
