BHP Recap: Broncos Earn Weekend Sweep, Jump to 3rd place with 6-4 victory over Melfort
Maddox Amaral celebrates his second straight game-opening-goal in the Broncos 6-4 victory on Saturday.
Photo: Marla Possberg Photography The Humboldt Broncos are now the 3rd place team in the SJHL standings after a weekend sweep, and most recently, a 6-4 victory over the Melfort Mustangs on Saturday.
Another dominating first period for Humboldt allowed the Broncos to control the game for the larger duration and drag Melfort out of their comfort zone having to play from behind for the second straight night.
Also, for the second straight night, in identical fashion, Maddox Amaral (12) scored the game’s opening goal, and Spencer Bell (34) picked up his first of two goals on the night to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead. Bell added his second shortly after on the powerplay to move into a tie for the SJHL lead in goals with 35.
Following 3 goals on 8 shots, Melfort’s James Venne was replaced with Kristian Coombs in the Mustang’s net. Coombs was fantastic, stopping 18 of 19 the rest of the way.
Melfort’s Zac Somers cut the lead to 3-1 with his second goal of the weekend after scoring the lone Melfort goal on Friday.
Humboldt’s dominating play continued in the early portions of the second frame but wouldn’t last forever. Matthew Van Blaricom extended his point streak to 10 games, giving the Broncos a 4-1 lead for the second straight game with his 24th of the year. Afterwards, Melfort found their footing.
At the 10-minute mark of the second period, it seemed as if the two teams switched bodies and Melfort responded with a relentless attack.
Logan Belton added a powerplay goal, and Clay Sleeva scored his 15th just three minutes later to close the score to 4-3 heading into the third.
Although no goals were scored in the first 18 minutes of the final frame, it was one of the most playoff-like and intense periods the EPA has seen this season.
In the final two minutes, with Melfort’s goalie pulled for the first time, Humboldt’s Landon Stromme found the empty net and gave the Broncos breathing room. Melfort didn’t back down. They pulled the goalie a second time. This time to a successful result from Leith Olafson to create a 5-4 Broncos’ lead. Finally, with Coombs out of the net for a third consecutive time, it was Stromme again who put the final nail in the coffin and helped the Broncos secure a 6-4 victory.
Humboldt’s Ben Motew won his 4th straight game in net and improved his record to 20-7-2-1.
The Broncos have won 4 games in a row, now sitting in third place with 11 games remaining, 8 of which are at home.
Next up they will travel on the road to take on the Notre Dame Hounds on Thursday, February 15th.