BHP Recap: Broncos Advance to Semi Finals with 3-0 Game 7 Shutout of Red Wings
Photo: Marla Possberg The Humboldt Broncos are heading to the SJHL Semi Finals to meet their arch nemesis, the Melfort Mustangs.
The Broncos secured a 3-0 victory on home ice in front of 1,500 fans to eliminate the Weyburn Red Wings in Game 7 of their opening round series.
Weyburn gave Humboldt all they could handle throughout the longest series of the SJHL’s opening round. However, home ice was the difference maker again, with all 7 games of the series being won by the home side.
In an electric atmosphere, Game 7 was the pinnacle of an intense back-and-forth series.
Weyburn was the better team through the first two periods of play, outshooting Humboldt 28-16, although Broncos’ goaltender, Ben Motew got the last laugh and turned aside his best performance of the playoffs when it mattered the most.
Motew stopped all 30 shots faced including a collection of high-danger Red Wings’ scoring chances in the first two periods to take a 0-0 score into the third frame.
Goaltending and special teams were crucial to each victory of the series, and in the third period that status remained.
Humboldt was rewarded a 5-on-3 powerplay after Jacob Visentini got called for tripping, and Jerome Maharaj received a double-minor for high-sticking that cut open Connor Thue.
Humboldt’s powerplay coming into Game 7 was struggling, scoring just one goal in their past 18 chances.
In the biggest moment of the game, it finally broke through.
Boris Kofman broke the deadlocked affair on the 5-on-3, and Spencer Bell fired home his second of the playoffs on the subsequent powerplay to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead.
From there on out, Humboldt was able to play with the lead, dictate their pace, and take control of the game.
Humboldt outshot Weyburn 21-2 in the 3rd period.
This was the first career playoff shutout for Ben Motew who has now played every game and owns a .938 SV% in the 2024 playoffs.
The Broncos will advance to the semi finals for the third straight season.
This will be the first playoff meeting between the Broncos and the Mustangs since the opening round of the 2018 playoffs.
Humboldt will travel to Melfort for Game 1 on Thursday, April 4th.