Written by: Rory McGouran
Photo by: Marla Possberg
The Humboldt Broncos have got it rolling 2020.
The Broncos defeated their Ag Risk Division rival in the Notre Dame Hounds on Tuesday, January 8th by a score of 3-2 to pick up their first winning streak since November 21st.
The game was bookended with a strong push from the visiting Hounds, but other than that, the game was largely controlled by the green and gold.
The Hounds picked up the game’s opening goal just 26 seconds in, but Broncos’ rookie, Karter McNarland tied the game just over five minutes later to send the two teams into the dressing room deadlocked after the opening frame.
In the second period, Tristan Shewchuk found his 19th goal of the year to give the Broncos their first lead of the game. Shewchuk’s 19th also tied Logan Foster for the team lead in goals.
The Broncos, looking for the insurance goal in the third period, found it when Josh Paulhus exited the penalty box and tucked home a rebound to give the Broncos a 3-1 lead. The Hounds would pull the goalie late in the third which would lead to Jake Dale bringing Notre Dame within one. However, the Broncos buckled down and killed off the remaining 1:15 to skate away with a 3-2 victory.
Humboldt controlled the game for the majority of the 60 minutes, outshooting the Hounds 45-26. Brendan Forman picked up his 14th win on the season while stopping 24 of 26.
The win gives the Broncos an 18-15-4-2 record, good for 42 points and a tie for 6th place with the Nipawin Hawks.
The Notre Dame Hounds was a team chasing the Broncos and now find themselves 8 points back of their rival and 3 points out of the 8th and final SJHL playoff spot.
The same intensity and situation will arise on Thursday, January 9th when the Broncos travel to Kindersley to take on the Klippers, a team that is also 3 points out of a playoff spot.