BRONCOS’ CAPTAIN LOGAN SCHATZ SCORED HIS 16TH GOAL OF THE SEASON LEADING HUMBOLDT PAST MELFORT. PHOTO COURTESY MARLA POSSBERG.
The Broncos broke the hearts of the Melfort Mustangs Saturday sneaking away with a 3-2 victory in thrilling fashion.
Captain Logan Schatz snapped his 16th goal of the season with just two seconds left to play in the third period curtailing the Mustangs’ eight game winning streak. Schatz said the team needed to find ways to beat the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s best teams.
“The Mustangs don’t give up much so for us to keep them to two gives us a chance to win,” Schatz said.
Humboldt had a great start, Nick Shumlanski opened the scoring with his first in a Broncos’ jersey from Schatz and Stephen Wack. Jaxon Joseph opened a 2-0 lead three minutes later jumping on a loose puck while short-handed blasting it past Evan Plotnik. The former Mustang has 20 goals on the season.
Melfort fought back with a late first period power-play goal from Tanner Zentner cutting the lead in half. The second period was scoreless; the Mustangs tied the game 2-2 off the stick of former Bronco Andrew Thompson six minutes into the third period. Overtime was looming before Schatz took a Kaleb Dahlgren pass down the right wing snapping a shot past Plotnik for the game winner. Schatz couldn’t confirm it was his biggest goal ever but he said it was fun.
“It’s one of the most exciting ones for sure,” he said.
Jacob Wassermann was brilliant making 36 stops in the win, Plotnik allowed three goals on 27 shots. The Broncos penalty kill was a key in the win; Melfort owns the league’s best power-play. Humboldt killed six of seven Mustang man advantages.
The Broncos host Notre Dame Sunday at the Elgar Petersen Arena. The Hounds sit three points up on Humboldt for second place in their division. Schatz said they need wins over Notre Dame who they face four more times.
“If we can take three at least those are massive points when March comes to keep us out of the survivor series,” Schatz said.
The Broncos did jump from seventh to sixth in the standings Saturday night thanks to Weyburn’s loss versus Estevan. Sunday’s game time is 6 p.m.
