It was a November that the Humboldt Broncos don’t really want to remember in 2025.
After opening the month with back-to-back wins in the opening weekend against the Kindersley Klippers, the Broncos ended the month with seven straight losses, capped off on Saturday night with a 5-3 defeat against the Estevan Bruins at Affinity Place.
With the Bruins leading by one with just over 1:30 remaining and an extra attacker on the ice, the Broncos thought they had tied the game when Oliver Phillips knocked in a loose puck in front. But after a lengthy discussion among the referees, it was ruled a no goal due to a quick whistle.
Estevan opened the scoring with Rylan Williams displaying his hand-eye coordination, batted a puck out of midair to give the Bruins the early advantage.
The Broncos evened the game near the midway point of the period as Connor Miller banked in a shot off a Bruins defender to tie the game.
Humboldt gained the first lead of the game thanks to Jacob Strizzi who scored his 19th goal of the season on the power play, as the Broncos led 2-1 heading into the second period.
Levy Kozma extended the advantage, scoring in his third straight game with the green and gold.
The Bruins battled back, led by Williams who replied with a pair of goals, including a power play marker to complete the hat trick and tied the game at 3-3.
94 seconds into the third period, the Bruins power play regained the lead as Noah Asmudson deflected a shot past Broncos netminder Charlie Tritt.
Humboldt valiantly tried to find an equalizer. But were unsuccessful in their attempt to tie the game, as their final hopes were dashed when Williams scored his fourth goal of the game and registered his fifth point of the night.
Strizzi (1G-1A) and Ryder Knutson (2A) each posted multi-point nights for the Broncos.
Tritt made 36 saves.
The Broncos were 1 for 4 on the power play while the Bruins were 2 for 4.
With the loss, Humboldt’s record drops down to 13-10-0-1 on the year and are now tied for 7th spot in the SJHL with the Yorkton Terriers at 27 points.
As the calendar flips over to December, the Broncos hope their fortune can change.
They will begin the month at home at the Elgar Petersen Arena with a pair of games on the weekend. They will host the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Saturday and then the next day, it will be the Teddy Bear Toss game with the Bruins making their first appearance in Humboldt for the 2025-26 campaign.
