The Humboldt Broncos put forth their best 60-minute effort in the most important game of their opening round series with the La Ronge Ice Wolves and are one game away from the SJHL Semi Finals.
After securing a 7-5 victory in Game 4, the Broncos retuned back home to the Elgar Petersen Arena for Game 5 with home ice advantage back in their favour. Although giving up the game’s opening goal, the Broncos took over the game, wore down their opponents, and came away with a 4-1 victory.
Ice Wolves’ Captain, Holden Knights broke the scoring open in the second period on the powerplay for a 1-0 lead. It was Knights first point since Game 1 and fourth of the postseason. The Broncos, although shorthanded seven times throughout the game, would not give up another goal.
Just under three minutes later, James Form tied the game stemming from a down low cycle, took a feed from Cage Newans and popped a one-timer through the legs of Goaltender, Xavier Cannon.
Form wasn’t done there.
With La Ronge on another powerplay, Sam Marburg’s effort forced a turnover and James Form finished with a highlight reel move, undressing a Xavier Cannon poke-check for a shorthanded goal and a Broncos 2-1 lead.
For the 5th time in the last six periods, the Broncos scored with under two minutes remaining, a delating aspect for opposition teams. With just 32 second left, Reilly McKinnon fired a shot from the point that was tipped by Ethan Zielke for his second goal of the playoffs and a 3-1 lead heading into the third.
The Broncos were too much in the third, containing the Ice Wolves to just 5 shots in the final period, and just 10 over the final 40 minutes of play.
Nicksha Eric iced the game with his second empty net goal of the series and the Broncos took a 3-2 lead in the series.
Rayce Ramsay stopped 20 of 21 shots for the win.
Humboldt will try and close out the series in Game 6, in La Ronge, on Sunday, March 27th.
