A high-scoring affair in Kindersley did not go the way of the Humboldt Broncos on Monday night, as they fell to the Klippers 5-3.
It was a scoreless first period, with the Klippers dominating much of the play, outshooting the Broncos 16-10 in the opening frame. However, the Klippers got on the board first early in the second period. Van Eger whistled a shot passed Charlie Tritt in the Humboldt net, giving the home side a 1-0 advantage.
The Klippers doubled the lead later in the period with a goal from Pryce Thiessen. Eger and Mason Eggen were credited with assists.
The Broncos narrowed the deficit late in the second period on the powerplay. Jeter Korte jammed the puck in on the left side for his first of the season, with Ryder Knutson getting the lone assist.
The Broncos trailed 2-1 heading into the third period, but we’re able to tie it with another powerplay goal, this time from Connor Miller. Korte and Jacob Strizzi were both given assists on the tying goal. Less than five minutes later, Kristian Lacelle scored to give the Broncos the lead, with Rylan Hue and Tyce Penrod picking up the assists.
The Broncos led 3-2 until the 10:36 mark of the third, when Mason Eggen tied it for the Klippers with a shot that deflected in front of the net off a Bronco stick. Four minutes later, the Klippers regained the lead with a shot from Austin Osiowy.
Klippers defenceman Jacob Dennis sealed the win for the Klippers with 1:40 left on the clock with a shot from his own blueline into an empty Bronco net, for a final score of 5-3.
Broncos’ Associate Coach Carter Hansen says it was an ugly start for his team.
“It took us a period and a half to really get into the game,” Hansen said. “Maybe all of these games at the start of the year are starting to catch up to us, but Kindersley has played just as many as we have, especially this past weekend.”
Hansen adds it was a physical game from both sides.
“There is always going to be one good dust-up between the Klippers and Broncos,” Hansen said. “Good to see our captain Ryder Knutson stepping in right away and a couple others as well when they go after our top guy in Strizzi. It proved a point that we are not going to be pushed around.”
Broncos’ goaltender Charlie Tritt made 42 saves in the loss, while Kindersley’s Mattias Radke made 31 stops in the win.
The Broncos are back on the ice Friday night when they host the Yorkton Terriers. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m., and Blaine Weyland has the call on 107.5 Bolt FM, beginning with the pre-game show at 7:15.
