HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Broncos are hoping a three-game homestand can help them bring back their winning ways.
In its lone game last week, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team fell 3-0 to Melfort on Friday. It was the fourth straight loss for the Broncos, who have a 15-12-3-2 record and sit in seventh place in the 12-team league.
“We had a disappointing result on Friday with a disappointing effort. We didn’t take pride in the little things and we were honestly lucky it was only 3-0 with an empty netter. Michael Harroch kept us in it until the end,” said assistant Curtis Toneff, alluding to his netminder making 38 saves.
This week the Broncos host Flin Flon on Thursday and Melville on Saturday at the Elgar Petersen Arena. A Dec. 17 contest against the SJHL-leading Battlefords North Stars wraps up the stretch of home games.
“Our focus on the homestand is getting back to what makes us successful,” Toneff said. “Utilizing our speed, creating second chance opportunities and cleaning up our special teams.”
Broncos head coach Scott Barney is currently serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada West for the World Junior A Hockey Challenge. The event runs Dec. 7 to 15 in Dawson Creek. In his stead, Toneff is leading the team with the assistance of volunteer coach Rhett Blackmur and support of athletic therapist Tyrol “Skip” Deeg.
It is Barney and Toneff’s first season working together. They already have a strong partnership.
“He’s an extremely hard worker,” Barney said. “We put in a lot of hours together and have a lot of the same philosophies. Another big thing is we value each other’s opinion and work well as a team... It’s not just one voice. It’s two voices working together as a team.”
The head coach noted that Toneff brings experience and connections from his seasons coaching in British Columbia. Barney stated that his assistant has a bright future in coaching.
Blackmur is in his second season working with Barney and the Broncos. The former Broncos player mostly helps out at home games but is in touch with Barney almost daily regarding players and other matters.
“He brings a different voice... He sees a lot of things during the game that maybe when Curtis and I run the bench we don’t see. He can give us an opinion in between periods. Maybe some little things we got to change up.”
The Broncos last week
Friday, Dec. 6 in Melfort
Melfort 3, Humboldt 0
Mustangs Scorers: Tyson Meyers, Tian Rask, Kenzie Arnold
Goalies: Michael Harroch, Humboldt, 38 saves on 40 shots; Tanner Martin, Melfort, 21 on 21
Attendance: 925
Notes: After a scoreless first period, the Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the second. It was the Broncos’ fourth straight loss.
This Week
The Broncos (15-12-3-2) have a three-game homestand. They host Flin Flon (21-6-4-0) on Thursday and Melville (10-17-2-4) on Saturday. The league leading Battlefords North Stars (26-5-2-0) visit on Dec. 17.
