HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Broncos were south, north and home last week.
In an extremely busy week, featuring four games in five days in four communities, the Broncos posted a 2-2 record. As of Sunday, the club was 11-7-1-1 on the season. Their 24 points in the standings placed them second in the Global Ag Risk Solutions division behind Battlefords, which leads the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with a 19-1-0-0 record and 38 points. Humboldt was fifth in the standings of the 12-team league. Both the Broncos and fourth-place Nipawin (12-8-0-0) had 24 points, but the Hawks had one more win.
A highlight of last week was when the Broncos shutout the Hawks, 4-0, in Nipawin on Friday night. Rookie goaltender Brendan Forman stopped all 26 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the season and his SJHL career.
“Forman was great in there in Nipawin,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said. “He made some big saves when needed and it was great for him for his confidence... getting a shutout against Nipawin, a team that doesn’t lose many games at home.”
On the other end of the ice, veteran forward Logan Foster powered the Broncos. Defenceman Chase Felgueiras staked Humboldt to a 1-0 first period lead on a powerplay marker. In the second session, Foster netted a hat trick – with two goals coming with the man advantage. The 20-year-old led the team and was seventh in the SJHL with 25 points in 20 games, as of Sunday.
“When he is skating and putting pucks to the net, he is really effective,” Barney said. “He has been a big part of our offence here this season. As well with the leadership he brings, when he’s going the other guys jump on board.”
Against Nipawin, Barney was pleased with the team’s compete level. He said every shift the Broncos were moving their feet, were disciplined, and capitalized on the powerplay.
Humboldt’s first win of last week came on the road in Weyburn on Tuesday. The two teams were deadlocked at 2-2 at both intermissions. Defenceman Kade Olsen came up big in the third period with the game-winning goal. Humboldt outshot the hosts, 42-20, with Forman making 18 saves.
The next night the Broncos fell on the road, 5-1, to Estevan. Connor Nolan’s second of the season was the lone marker for Humboldt. After the big win on Friday, the Broncos fell 5-1 at home on Saturday to a much improved La Ronge team that is turning heads early this season. Captain Graysen Cameron had Humboldt’s goal.
The Broncos Last Week
Tuesday, Oct. 29 in Weyburn
Humboldt 3, Weyburn 2
Broncos Scorers: Kade Olsen, Reid Arnold, Nicksha Eric
Red Wings Scorers: Tyson McLean, Graham Skinner
Goalies: Brendan Forman, Humboldt, 18 saves on 20 shots; Joseph Young, Weyburn, 39 on 42
Attendance: 578
Notes: Both teams scored twice in the first period. Neither squad could find the back of the net in the second. Olsen’s second of the season was the winning marker in the third period.
Wednesday, Oct. 30 in Estevan
Estevan 5, Humboldt 1
Broncos Scorer: Connor Nolan
Bruins Scorers: Devan Harrison, Caleb Petrie, Tanner Manz, Griffin Asham-Moroz, Troy Hamilton
Goalies: Michael Harroch, Humboldt, 30 saves on 35 shots; Keenan Rancier, Estevan, 39 on 42
Attendance: 770
Notes: Estevan held leads of 2-0 and 3-1 at the intermissions. Nolan’s goal came on the powerplay.
Friday, Nov. 1 in Nipawin
Humboldt 4, Nipawin 0
Broncos Scorers: Logan Foster (3), Chase Felguerias
Goalies: Brendan Forman, Humboldt, 26 saves on 26 shots; Ethan Slobodzian, Nipawin, 21 on 25; Ross Hawryluk, Nipawin, 8 on 8;
Attendance: 715
Notes: Humboldt led 1-0 and 4-0 at the intermissions. Three of Humboldt’s goals came on the powerplay.
Saturday, Nov. 2 in Humboldt
La Ronge 5, Humboldt 1
Broncos Scorer: Graysen Cameron
Ice Wolves Scorers: Spencer Kennedy (2), Daylon Mannon, Grant Longtin, Aaron Greyeyes
Goalies: Brendan Forman, Humboldt, 6 saves on 9 shots; Michael Harroch, Humboldt, 26 on 28; Liam McGarva, La Ronge, 31 on 32
Attendance: 858
Notes: La Ronge jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and went up 4-1 in the second before Cameron scored.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (11-7-1-1, fifth in the SJHL) take on the league-leading Battlefords North Stars (19-1-0-0) on Tuesday on the road. This weekend they host Nipawin (12-8-0-0) on Friday and Melfort (13-4-2-1, second in the SJHL) on Saturday.
