The Humboldt Broncos were unable to come away with points on the road this weekend, dropping both games of a home-and-home series against the Weyburn Red Wings.
Friday: Second-Period Surge Falls Short in 6–4 Loss
Friday night saw the Broncos battle back after an early deficit, but a pair of third-period goals proved to be the difference in a 6–4 loss.
Matt Bradley made his debut in goal for Humboldt and was tested often, turning aside 44 shots. Weyburn jumped out to an early 2–0 lead before the Broncos responded midway through the first period, as Tyce Penrod created an odd-man rush and Kai Holowalchuk finished for his first goal with the green and gold.
Weyburn carried a 4–1 lead into the first intermission, but the Broncos came out flying in the second. Gabriel Kaminski and Teigan Semchyshen scored just minutes apart to pull Humboldt within one, before captain Brayden Skogstad tied the game at 4–4 with a backhand finish off a feed from Rylan Hue.
The Red Wings regained the lead on the power play later in the period, and despite several strong chances — including a crossbar hit with the extra attacker — Humboldt couldn’t find the equalizer. An empty-net goal sealed the 6–4 final.
Skogstad led the way offensively with a goal and an assist, while Humboldt finished 0-for-3 on the power play.
Saturday: Red Wings Pull Away in 4–0 Decision
Saturday night proved to be a tougher outing offensively for the Broncos, as they were shut out 4–0 despite a solid effort between the pipes from Brady Holtvogt, who made 36 saves.
Weyburn opened the scoring early and added two more goals in the second period to take control of the game. Humboldt had several quality chances to break through, including a near miss from Logan Flint and a third-period breakaway by Ben Fofonoff coming out of the penalty box, but Red Wings goaltender Joey Rocha stood tall.
Penalty trouble late in the game led to a Weyburn power-play goal, with a final marker added in the closing minutes.
The Broncos finished the night 0-for-4 on the power play, while Weyburn went 1-for-9.
Looking Ahead
With the weekend losses, Humboldt now trails Kindersley in the race for the final SJHL playoff spot, though the Broncos still hold four games in hand. All eyes now turn to Tuesday night, as Humboldt travels to Kindersley for what shapes up to be the biggest game of the season.
(Blaine Weyland)
