BHP Recap: Series Split 2-2 with Weyburn OT Win
Photo: Marla Possberg Photography The home team has now won all four games in the opening round series between the Humboldt Broncos and the Weyburn Red Wings, with a 2-2 series split coming back to Humboldt for Game 5.
In the second of two back-and-forth hockey games at Crescent Point Place in Weyburn, the Red Wings protected their home ice and evened up the series with a 4-3 OT victory on Wednesday night.
The Broncos found the opening jump just 27 seconds into the game with Matthew Van Blaricom’s team leading 4th of the playoffs. The goal came off a smart play by Daylan Weigel who intentionally shot the puck wide of the net to create a bounce off the back wall back out in front of the net.
Liam Fitzgerald scored on a 2-on-1 to tie the game heading into the second period.
The Broncos were heavily out favored in the penalty department, falling into some undiscipline plays while clearly building frustration for not seeing calls go their way.
In the end of 60 minutes, Weyburn spent 19+ minutes on the powerplay, nearly a full period, while the Broncos had just over six.
The result was Weyburn scoring two powerplay goals by Nicholas Kovacs and Jaxson Ruthven, keeping them in the game through the second period.
The Broncos also added two even strength-markers in the middle frame. Ben Costantino continues to produce, firing an old-school slap shot for his 4th goal. He now has a goal in every game of this series. Van Blaricom added his second of the game, stripping the puck off the stick of Dallen Oxelgren and beating Dazza Mitchell on a breakaway.
The third period provided no goals as both Mitchell and Broncos’ netminder Ben Motew made some key saves.
For the first time of the series, the game would be decided in overtime.
It took nearly the entire overtime frame, and looked as if it was heading to double-overtime. However, with 36 seconds left, Kovacs fired a shot from the left-wing boards that snuck through the short side and gave Weyburn the 4-3 victory.
The Humboldt Broncos still have home ice advantage with two of the remaining three games taking place at the Elgar Petersen Arena staring with Game 5 on Friday, March 29th.