Written by: Rory McGouran
The Humboldt Broncos were a rumbling herd on Wednesday night, hitting double-digits on the scoreboard, and continuing their undefeated streak to start the season in a 10-1 beatdown of the Weyburn Red Wings.
It was early and often once again for Humboldt, as they’ve now scored the opening goal of the game in each of their first five games this season. This time it led to a complete outpour of offensive action.
The Broncos routinely caught the Red Wings defense flat-footed with numerous breakaways in the opening period. They also were able to create a ton of traffic in front of Dazza Mitchell, one of the leagues brightest netminders, completely throwing him off his game.
5 goals in the first period basically put the game out of reach for the green and gold. Matthew Van Blaricom scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season. Spencer Bell (3), Brayden Skogstad (3), and Cage Newans (4) added the opening frame tallies.
Once again, the Broncos neutralized their opponents attack in the first, Limiting the Red Wings to just 2 shots on net, while adding a season-high 24 of their own. So far throughout the season the Broncos have outshot the opposition 100-28 in the opening frame.
Weyburn found a little more footing in the second, and were able to outshoot the Broncos 17-12, albeit, it was Humboldt who were more successful with their chances.
Rookie defenseman Ben Costantino scored his first career Bronco’ goal. Cage Newans netted his second goal of the game, adding his league leading 4th powerplay marker, and Van Blaricom completed his hattrick before the second period expired, winning a $100 Co-op gift card for the Shop Score and Win contestant (Patty and Larry Durand) in the process.
Weyburn got their lone goal of the night off the stick of Liam Fitzpatrick for his third goal of the year.
Other than that, Aidan Fischer was very strong in the net. The North Vancouver native, and rookie goaltender, was making his first career Jr. A start and stopped 26 of 27 for a .963 SV% and his first career victory.
The Broncos added two more goals in the third to hit the double-digit plateau.
Travis Bryson knocked home the Broncos third powerplay goal of the game, and Ben Costantino picked up his second career goal to cap off the scoring in the 10-1 statement win.
Multiple Broncos had dominating offensive performances including Newans and Connor Thue who finished with 5 points each.
Costantino, Van Blaricom, Chase Cooke, Connor Miller, Travis Bryson, and Patrick Lanthier all finished with multi-point efforts.
The next test to continue their undefeated streak will be a home-and-home series against the Nipawin Hawks on October 13th and 14th.