Written By: Rory McGouran
The Broncos put the “Win” in Wynyard.
The Humboldt Broncos and Notre Dame Hounds took to the ice in Co-operative Place in Wynyard, SK for a neutral site game on Tuesday night. Humboldt, who were riding a two-game losing streak, bounced back in a big way defeating the Hounds 4-0 on the shoulders of a 40 save performance and first career SJHL shutout for Edouard Gauthier.
Consistency has been the missing key from the Broncos over the past month, and although its just one victory, a very consistent 60-minute effort was brought Tuesday night, potentially foreshadowing the effort needed as they approach a very difficult stretch to wrap up the pre-holiday schedule.
Opening the scoring in the first period was Oakley McIlwain who scored his fifth goal of the season firing a point shot that sneaked between the legs of Hounds’ goalie, Spencer Borsos.
Increasing their lead in the second and third period while wasting no time with the puck on their stick, the following three goals all came off one-timers, giving Borsos no time to get set in his net. Maric Mamic fired home a net front pass from Jeter Korte, and Rylan Hue beat Borsos in similar fashion from a Maddox Amaral assist. Mamic’s goal hits the double-digit plateau and is now three away from setting a career high, while Hue picked up his fifth in his rookie season.
The final nail was provided by Broncos’ captain, Landon Stromme who buried his third of the year following a had-nosed play by Brayden Skogstad digging the puck out of the corner and leaving it out in the slot for Stromme to walk into.
Gauthier’s stellar performance elevated his save percentage to .919 on the season, fourth best in the SJHL.
The powerplay only got one opportunity, without success, while the penalty kill was a perfect 5/5.
In the wild SJHL standings the victory lifted the Broncos from ninth and out of the playoffs, all the way to sixth place and just three points out of a home advantage playoff spot.
The toughest test of the season still looms ahead.
The Broncos will twice faceoff with the SJHL’s powerhouse Melfort Mustangs this weekend. It will be the first meeting of the season with Melfort who’s entering the game on a 10-game wining streak. Following that the Broncos will head down south for three games in three days taking on the Weyburn Red Wings followed by two straight against the Estevan Bruins before heading home for the holidays.
