The Humboldt Broncos are making a habit of late comebacks.
They notched a come-from-behind win for the third time in six games when Gray Marr scored an overtime winner for a 3-2 win against the Kindersley Klippers on Nov. 28 at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
It was the second time in as many days that the two teams played to a 3-2 decision; on Nov. 26 in Kindersley the Klippers came out on top as the teams continue to battle for top spot in the Kramer Division. With the win at home, the Broncos moved one point ahead of the Klippers for the top spot.
From the perspective of head coach Dean Brockman it wasn't a complete effort, but the result was good enough.
"I'm not sure how to explain it [the slow starts]," he said, "but we'll take the win."
The game also marked the team's first home appearance since voting for captain and assistants. David Stumborg was voted the team captain, while Logan Sproule, Cody Pongracz and Rhett Blackmur are the assistants.
"It's a huge honour for me," Stumborg said after the game. "Being from Humboldt, it's basically a dream come true for me. To be the captain of your favourite hockey team from when you were a kid is a pretty big deal."
Whether he was inspired by his newfound captaincy or not, Stumborg had perhaps his best game of the season against the Klippers. He scored Humboldt's first goal, a screamer of a wrist shot, and added two assists, including one on Marr's game-winning goal.
"He had three points in a 3-2 game, how much more can you ask for?" Brockman asked.
There were other standout performances, including a fight from the team's most diminutive player, 5'6" Jarrett Fontaine. Fontaine dropped his gloves in the second period after Marr was crosschecked into the boards. It was the high-scoring forward's first fight of the season.
"You have to give him credit for that," Brockman said. "That's a heart-and-soul play, standing up for your teammate like that."
The game also saw the debut of Kyle Oleniuk, traded from the Weyburn Red Wings as part of the Cody Pettapiece deal. Oleniuk took the ice as number 18, but had been with the team for less than a day and so there was no name on the back of his jersey.
"We just wanted him to get to know the guys and how we play," Brockman said. "He's a 20-year-old so he doesn't want to miss any games."
The Broncos trailed 2-1 heading into the final frame before a goal by Thomas Stanislavski tied it up three minutes into the period. The Klippers had a few good chances late in the game but were stopped by Cade Spencer, fresh off being named the SJHL's Rookie of the Week. Marr's game winner came with about a minute-and-a-half left in the overtime period.
The Broncos now boast a record of 15-8-1-2 and sit in first place in the Kramer Division, one point ahead of the Klippers and five points ahead of the Battlefords North Stars. They will be challenged to hold that lead, as their next three games, against Notre Dame, Estevan and Weyburn, are all on the road.
