BHP Recap: Broncos Take Control of Game 1, defeating the Red Wings 6-1
Photo: Marla Possberg Photography A 1-0 series lead for the Humboldt Broncos out of the starting gates to the 2024 playoffs.
The Broncos controlled home ice advantage after finishing 3rd place in the SJHL standings and welcomed the 6th place Weyburn Red Wings for the first postseason meeting between the two clubs since 2015.
Minus a second period pushback from the Red Wings, the Broncos took advantage of the action. Simplistic in the defensive zone, speed through transition, and capitalizing on their chances, the Broncos backed by a solid performance from Ben Motew defeated the wings 6-1.
The SJHL’s best frost period team in the regular season continued that trend in the playoffs.
Ben Costantino, who led all rookie defensemen in goals and points, picked up his first career playoff goal beating Red Wings Netminder, Dazza Mitchell.
Boris Kofman finished off a beautiful transition play off a board side chip from Matthew Van Blaricom followed by a centering pass from Maddox Amaral for a 2-0 lead.
Weyburn’s Jerome Maharaj scored the lone wings’ goal walking out from the corner and sliding a puck by Motew.
Humboldt regained their two-goal lead shortly after from a Van Blaricom top-shelf breakaway finish.
The Broncos then put the game to bed in the third period scoring three goals.
Boris Kofman added his second of the game. Marik Mamic, who was a physical beast all night, was rewarded with his first career playoff goal, and Jacob Strizzi tucked home the game’s only powerplay goal to culminate the 6-goal performance for Humboldt.
Motew has a handful of key saves and stopped 31/32 overall posting a .969 save percentage.
The Broncos penalty kill was elite, stopping all 5 Weyburn powerplays. Meanwhile the Broncos powerplay went 1/3.
Game two will grace the EPA on Saturday where the Broncos will look for a 2-0 series lead.