BHP Recap: Red Wings cut Broncos series lead to 2-1, with 5-3 Win in Game 3.
Weyburn found their first victory of the series, forcing at least a Game 5.
Photo: Marla Possberg Photography There will be a Game 5 in the Humboldt Broncos opening round series following a 5-3 defeat to the Weyburn Red Wings in Game 3.
As the series moved south to the Crescent Point Place in Weyburn, the Broncos failed to take a commanding 3-0 series lead with Weyburn protecting their first home ice game and picking up their first win of the series.
The opening goal was a too familiar experience for the Broncos in Weyburn.
An odd bounce, that for whatever reason, seems to happen more often in Crescent Point Place, as the puck was thrown towards the net, redirected off a Broncos defender and through Ben Motew for the 1-0 lead. Braigh Legrandur was credited with the goal for his first of the playoffs.
Cage Newans tied the game later in the first period, firing a one-timer on the powerplay that beat Dazza Mitchell.
The goals continued to alternate all the way through until the final minute.
Weyburn’s Lucas Schmid fired a perfectly placed wrist shot from the board-side hashmarks into a tiny opening above the shoulder of Motew for a 2-1 lead.
Humboldt once again tied the game on the powerplay with Matthew Van Blaricom banging home a rebound for his 3rd and team-leading 7th point of the playoffs.
Just four minutes later, on another Broncos powerplay, Weyburn’s Blake Betson knocked down a lateral blue-line pass and scored on a shorthanded breakaway to hand the Broncos a devastating momentum changer which built a 3-2 Red Wings’ lead.
Humboldt rebounded again in the third.
Ben Costantino was able to tie the game 3-3 on a deep wrist shot through a screen. This was Costantino’s 3rd goal in three games, leading all SJHL defenseman in playoff goals.
With the final minutes counting down, it appeared the SJHL may have their first playoff overtime game. However, the Broncos lost attention on Jaxson Ruthven in front of the net. He made a quick move in tight and beat Motew blocker side for the eventual game winner.
An empty net goal was added by Nicolas Kovacs to seal the game 5-3.
Motew faced 30 shots stopping 26 of them. Meanwhile, Mitchell turned aside 34 of 37 for the Red Wings.
The Broncos powerplay was useful again, scoring on two of six attempts. Their PK continued to be perfect, stopping all four Weyburn man advantages.
The Broncos will look to respond and take a 3-1 series lead back to Humboldt when the two teams meet for Game 4 on Wednesday.