The Humboldt Broncos had to settle for a split in their weekend home-and-home series with the Battlefords North Stars following a 3–1 defeat on Saturday night.
Humboldt couldn’t carry over momentum from Friday’s contest, as Battlefords struck first. Finlay Klippenstein opened the scoring in the first period, burying a loose rebound.
Later in the frame, Josh Knittig fired a shot from the off wing that found the back of the net, giving the North Stars a two-goal lead.
The Broncos had a prime opportunity to climb back into the game late in the period when Battlefords took three consecutive penalties — including two delay-of-game calls for shooting the puck over the glass — handing Humboldt an extended 5-on-3 power play. They were unable to capitalize, but with 28 seconds remaining, Kayson Christian scored for the second straight game off a turnover, cutting the deficit to 2–1.
In the second period, Keegan Nash delivered a perfect pass into the slot to Carter Geysen, who redirected it home to restore Battlefords’ two-goal cushion at 3–1.
Just as in the opening period of the series, neither side found the scoresheet in the final frame, and the North Stars secured the victory.
Brady Holtvogt made 41 saves for Humboldt, while Kaeden Serpa stopped 40 shots for Battlefords. The Broncos went 0-for-5 on the power play, while the North Stars finished 1-for-4.
With the loss, Humboldt ended the season series against Battlefords with a 2–6 record, including four one-goal setbacks.
Elsewhere, the Estevan Bruins defeated the Melville Millionaires on Saturday, moving into seventh place in the playoff standings. Melville now sits four points ahead of Humboldt for the final postseason berth, with a game in hand.
The Broncos will continue their final road swing of the regular season next week with their first and only trip to face the La Ronge Ice Wolves. The teams will meet Thursday and Friday at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre in Air Ronge. Blaine Weyland - Discover Humboldt
