It was a statement win for the Humboldt Broncos on Tuesday night as they edged the Kindersley Klippers 3-2, capping off a perfect three-game homestand. The green and gold passed another test of adversity, finishing the stretch on a high note.
Oliver Phillips scored twice for Humboldt, including the overtime winner — the only shot on goal in the extra frame. Over his last six games, Phillips has recorded six points (5G-1A), along with the shootout winner on Friday night against Melville.
With the two points on Tuesday, Humboldt moved back into a playoff position and now sits seventh in the SJHL standings, leapfrogging both the Melville Millionaires and Estevan Bruins, who were idle. Kindersley remains one point ahead of the Broncos after picking up a point in the overtime loss.
Earlier in the day, the Broncos learned that forward Rylan Hue would be departing to join the BCHL’s Brooks Bandits.
Despite the news, Humboldt came out flying, needing just 13 seconds to open the scoring. Kai Holowachuk fired a shot past Klippers netminder Brett O’Halloran to give the Broncos an early lead.
Kindersley responded later in the period when Braydon Vandenbliche found the back of the net to even the score. However, Humboldt regained the advantage just 28 seconds later as Kristian Lacelle set up Phillips in the slot, where he unleashed a rocket to restore the lead.
The Klippers netted the lone goal of the second period, as Cobe Perlinger batted a puck out of mid-air and across the goal line to tie the game 2-2.
After a scoreless third period, it took only 23 seconds of overtime for Phillips to notch his 12th goal of the season and seal the victory.
Lacelle and Ben Fofonoff each recorded two assists, while Brady Holtvogt turned aside 32 shots for another strong performance between the pipes for Humboldt.
Kindersley finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while Humboldt did not have a man advantage.
The two teams will meet once more in the regular season on March 10 in Kindersley.
Humboldt returns to action Friday night to begin a home-and-home weekend series against the Melfort Mustangs at the Northern Lights Palace. Coverage on Bolt FM and discoverhumboldt.com begins at 7:15 p.m., with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The series shifts to Melfort on Saturday.
This weekend also marks the Broncos’ Parents and Billets Weekend.
