It was a great weekend to be Charlie Tritt.
The new Humboldt Broncos netminder made 63 saves on 64 shots over two games for his new club, including a 33 save performance in Humboldt’s 3-1 victory over the visiting Warman Wolverines.
Tritt did surrender his first goal against in the first period, as Cody Parks snuck one passed Tritt at the 5:26 mark, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal in Warman Wolverines history.
However, the Broncos were able to answer. At the 8:27 mark of the first period, Rylan Hue cut to the middle and put one passed Wolverines goaltender Griffin Wright, tying the game at one. Tyce Penrod and Brayden Skogstad both registered assists on the goal.
Then, at the 10:00 mark of the first, Avery Lowe gave the Broncos the lead with a shot that deflected off of Wright’s stick and into the net. Jacob Kulas assisted on what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
The game remained 2-1 in favour of the Broncos until just three seconds remained in the game, as Logan Flint was able to bury the empty net goal to seal the victory for the Broncos.
Broncos Associate Coach Carter Hansen credited the Broncos’ improved discipline, taking just seven penalties on Saturday night, compared to 12 the night before.
“I know our penalty kill guys are happy about that, knowing they didn’t have to go out there,” Hansen said. “I think Friday night, we had a guy like Brayden Skogstad out there for eight minutes on the ice for the penalty kill, so I know those guys were feeling a little more rested, and it takes a little pressure off of our penalty killers and our goalie as well.”
Hansen also marveled at the play of Charlie Tritt, who earned his first two wins in the SJHL this weekend.
“Knowing that you’ve got a guy back there than can bail you out night-after-night, that just gives the guys out there so much confidence to go make plays, to try and play at the pace that we can, knowing that if something does go wrong, we have a guy waiting to bail us out.”
On the other side, Griffin Wright made 31 saves in the loss.
The game also marked the debut of Broncos defenceman Easton Adrian, who was acquired on Saturday from the Drumheller Dragons.
The Broncos are back in action on Tuesday night when they host the Weyburn Red Wings. Puck drop is at 7:30, the pre-game show begins at 7:15 on 107.5 Bolt FM.
