The Humboldt Broncos earned a bit of revenge against the Flin Flon Bombers, who eliminated them from last year’s playoffs, by handing the Bombers their first loss of the season—a 5-3 victory at the Elgar Petersen Arena on Tuesday night.
Flin Flon showed no signs of tired legs from a lengthy trek to Humboldt as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.
Tyrone Sobry turned the Broncos fortunate around in one play, taking the puck at central and proceeded to weave through the Bomber defenders before firing his second goal of the year to cut the deficit down to one.
Sobry would credit for Humboldt’s second goal, after his shot from the point bounced off the backboards to the front of the net, deflecting into the net, tying the game up at 2-2.
Shortly after a Broncos penalty kill, Tyce Penrod was able to spring Jacob Strizzi on a breakaway, and the SJHL’s leading goal scorer took advantage, notching his 9th goal of the year as the green and gold led 3-2 heading into the final period.
Avery Lowe provided the Broncos with some much-needed insurance scoring his second goal of the year, giving Humboldt a two-goal advantage.
Flin Flon would narrow the gap to one, after Rhett Ewen scored, but Oakley McIlwain finished off the scoring as his long distance rolled off the post and over the goal line to make the final 5-3.
Associate Coach Carter Hansen said following the game, Sobry’s first goal ignited the Broncos offence.
“It helps when it’s a highlight reel goal that Tyrone Sobry scored there, I think went inside and outside of all five guys within a three-foot span of the blueline, if you’re not getting excited for that, doesn’t matter if you’re a fan, I think you need to check your pulse.”
Hansen added that Sobry’s game has excelled since his brief stint with the Broncos in 2022-23.
“He’s been a guy who’s so good defensively, such a smooth skater, he gets pucks up quick and he’s really good jumping into the rush, he’s that fourth wave of attack for us, he puts a lot of pressure on teams.”
Charlie Tritt was spectacular between the pipes for the Broncos, making 39 saves in the victory and Hansen said his strong rebound control was on display on Tuesday night.
“That’s how Flin Flon scores goals, throwing pucks at the net, they play hard in the hard areas, if Charlie wasn’t on his game there, holding rebounds close to the chest there, I think it could’ve been a different story tonight, but a tip of the cap to Charlie for stepping up again in a time of need.”
With the win, the Broncos record improves to 6-3-0-0 on the season.
Next action for the green and gold is coming up on Friday night when they begin a home and home set with the Battlefords North Stars.
Coverage of Friday’s game in Battlefords begins at 7:15 on 107.5 Bolt FM and Discoverhumboldt.com.
The two teams will then head to Humboldt for a Saturday night tilt at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
