In a back-and-forth battle between the Humboldt Broncos and the Melville Millionaires, it was clear the game would come down to a bounce or a break. The Broncos got both, edging the Millionaires 3–2 in a shootout on Friday night.
Rylan Hue tied the game with 3:30 remaining in regulation when his shot deflected off a Melville player and found the back of the net.
In the shootout, Oliver Phillips broke his stick on his attempt, but the puck continued to slide through the five-hole of Melville goaltender Matt Spencer-Dahl, giving Humboldt the advantage.
Avery Lowe sealed the victory with the shootout winner as the Broncos collected a valuable two points.
Matt Bradley was the hero in overtime, as Melville outshot Humboldt 5–1 during the extra frame. The Broncos netminder came up with several key saves, including stopping Jack Drake on a breakaway. Drake was then awarded a penalty shot, but Bradley once again shut the door to keep Humboldt’s hopes alive.
Melville opened the scoring in the first period when Hudson Binder slipped a shot through the five-hole of Bradley. Humboldt answered in the second period, as Logan Flint found Phillips in the slot and Phillips buried the chance.
The Millionaires regained the lead later in the period when Alex Morrison managed to squeeze a shot past Bradley.
Hue’s tying goal was the lone marker of the third period, setting the stage for the drama that followed in overtime and the shootout.
Following the game, associate coach Carter Hansen said Hue’s goal perfectly illustrated the nature of the contest.
“It was a hard-fought, well-defended game with not a lot of room out there,” said Hansen.
“And of course, he turns around, I think he bobbled it about four times right before he shoots. Then it hits about three things on the way to the net, and then it’s in. It’s kind of funny how that one went in. That’s kind of how the whole night went.”
Hansen also credited Bradley’s clutch performance in overtime for securing the win.
“We don’t get that extra point without him,” Hansen said. “He was ready to stand tall, and he looked really good in the shootout as well.”
Both Phillips and Hue scored their 10th goals of the season for the green and gold.
Bradley finished the night with 40 saves, including five in overtime, while Spencer-Dahl turned aside 38 shots for Melville.
Humboldt went 0-for-3 on the power play, while Melville finished 1-for-2.
With the win, combined with losses by Estevan and Kindersley, the Broncos gained ground in the SJHL playoff race. Humboldt now sits two points back of Melville, with just three points separating the Broncos, from the Klippers, and Bruins.
The Broncos will have another opportunity to make up ground on Estevan when the two teams meet for the final time this season, Saturday at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
The Grey Cup will be in attendance, with fans able to take photos with the trophy prior to the game.
Coverage on Bolt FM and DiscoverHumboldt begins at 7:15 p.m., with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m.
Blaine Weyland – Discover Humboldt
Photo – Marla Possberg
