Joseph plays hero in “big” Broncos win

The Humboldt Broncos accomplished a feat the team hasn’t done since Darcy Haugan became the club’s head coach and general manager; they defeated Estevan on the road.

Jaxon Joseph scored 1:33 into overtime securing a 2-1 Humboldt win Saturday at Affinity Place. The victory snapped a four game slide as well. Joseph said the club needed two points.

“We definitely needed that win. It was also big for us in the standings as Estevan is a team we are battling a top six spot for,” he said.

Estevan opened the scoring late in the first period off the stick of Michael McChesney. The score remained 1-0 until rookie Logan Hunter notched his 12th goal of the year just 33 seconds into the third period. Ryan Strachnitzki and Logan Schatz picked up assists on the tying tally.

Joseph secured the extra point with a short-handed extra time game winner. He said the low scoring result didn’t replicate the game that featured two offensively talented clubs.

“It was more of an offense versus offense game, both teams had troubles in our defensive zone but I felt we still controlled them for most of the game,” Joseph said.

Schatz assisted on the game winner as well raising his point total to 54 on the year.

Parker Tobin stopped 23 shots for his third win as a Bronco in seven starts, Bo Didur suffered the loss allowing two goals on 30 Humboldt shots.

The victory was special for both Haugan and assistant Mark Cross as the Broncos picked up their first win in Estevan since Feb. 7, 2015. Haugan and Cross both played for the Bruins. Haugan admitted it was a memorable night.

“As alumni it was a very gratifying win for Mark and myself however we couldn’t have done it without a complete buy in from everyone,” Haugan said.

The Broncos closed to within a point of Notre Dame for second in their division with the win, they visit the Hounds in Wilcox Friday night.