Broncos fall in post-Christmas opener

The Humboldt Broncos began the so-called second half of the season Friday night dropping a 3-2 decision in Weyburn.

Jaxon Joseph scored his 16th goal of the year from Conner Lukan and Logan Schatz knotting the game at 1-1 in the second after the Wings’ Ty Brown opened the scoring in the first frame. Brown restored Weyburn’s lead during the second period, 16 year-old Zach McIntyre tied the game with his first career goal.

Cade Kowalski completed a three point night with the winning goal in the third period handing Humboldt their fourth straight loss. Assistant Coach Mark Cross said the result could have went either way.

“I thought we were the better team for majority of the game. We had more offensive zone time and more high quality scoring chances,” he said.

McIntyre was playing his third game of the season being called up from the Yorkton Maulers. Cross said the team saw many qualities in the Rhein product leading to his second overall draft selection in 2016.

“Zach is obviously a very skilled offensive player. He seems to be playing with more confidence each game we bring him up. Great to see him score tonight, it’s exciting knowing we have a prospect with that kind of potential,” he said.

Parker Tobin stopped 29 shots in the loss; Liam McCloskey stopped 37 of 39 for the Red Wings.

The Broncos will travel south to Estevan to meet the Bruins. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.

“We need to find ways to start coming out on the right side of these games. It’s difficult when you feel you played well enough to win, but don’t come out on top,” Cross concluded.