Written by: Rory McGouran
The Humboldt Broncos regulatfaceion undefeated streak came to an end at an impressive 16 games on Friday night, losing 5-4 to the Kindersley Klippers.
A depleted lineup for the Broncos with 8 regulars inactive for Friday night’s contest at the West Central Events Centre presented a seriously tough test, especially against the division rival Klippers who had won two of their last three games.
One of the young future Broncos, thrusted into action and called up the morning of the game, impressed early. Tyce Penrod, the Broncos 11th overall pick from the 2007 birth years of the 2022 SJHL Draft scored on his very first shift to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead. This was Penrod’s second career Bronco’ goal in just his third game as the prospect suited up for two games last year.
The Broncos and Klippers continued to alternate goals in a back-and-forth first period.
Logan Cox crashed the net for his 5th of the season on a rebound to tie the game at 1-1.
Travis Bryson regained the Broncos lead, scoring the first of his hattrick performance on the night. Bryson had been accumulating plenty of assists over the last month, but his 5th goal of the season marked his first since October 11th.
The Broncos conceded their second lead of the game with under two minutes remaining in the first, off a backdoor pass to Nolan Smith who beat Ben Motew for his 2nd goal of the year.
The Broncos outshot the Klippers 17-9 in the second period. However, Klippers crease-man, Logan Falk, was a huge motive towards their success, stopping all 17 shots allowing the Klippers to take a 2-goal lead. Kayden Ostrom scored his second goal of the season, both coming against the Broncos, and Tylin Hilbig added a powerplay marker for a 4-2 lead.
Not only did the Broncos lose in regulation for the first time this season, this was also the first time the Broncos had trailed by two goals at any time this year, and the first time the Broncos allowed three straight goals to their opponent this 2023/24 season.
Credit to the green and gold, who fought back with the depleted lineup in the third period as Bryson completed his hattrick just 5 minutes apart.
One final powerplay, on a borderline call against Bryson led to the Klippers game-winning goal from Austin Osiowy to secure the 5-4 victory.
The loss drops the Broncos record to 12-1-2-1 on the season.
The spotlight will be shining bright in the ensuing days as the Broncos hope to get their lineup back to full health for the SJHL Showcase in Warman, SK.
Humboldt will take on the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Tuesday, November 14th (4:30pm), before their first game of the season against the Melville Millionaires on Wednesday (10:30am).