Offensive onslaught continues in La Ronge

The Broncos continued to fill the net in La Ronge Friday night routing the Ice Wolves 7-3 for the club’s second win in a row.

Humboldt has scored 13 goals in their last couple contests including a 6-0 romp of the Mustangs on Family Day.

The Broncos opened the scoring just 1:10 in with Nick Schumlanski’s 19th of the season. Former Bronco Antonio Di Paolo tied the contest at 7:20. Connor Smith gave the Wolves the lead before the Broncos exploded for three more in the first frame. Conner Lukan scored his 16th goal of the season, La Ronge product Bryce Fiske scored his seventh in his return to the Mel Hegland Uniplex and Ryan Straschnitzki added his second goal of his rookie season as Humboldt took a 4-2 lead into the room.

Brayden Camrud added  his 15th goal of the season early in the second expanding the lead to 5-2. Zach Bannister beat Parker Tobin at 4:05 of the second period closing the gap back to a pair of goals going into the second intermission.

Shumlanski added his 20th goal of the season in the third period, Logan Hunter capped the scoring with his 20th goal of the year with just over eight minutes remaining. Assistant coach Mark Cross said the game was closer than the score indicated.

“I thought we consistently got better as the game went on. La Ronge is a hard working team and they didn’t make it easy on us,” Cross said after the game.

Logan Schatz and Jaxon Joseph each added three assists in the Broncos’ 32nd victory of the season. Straschnitzki added a pair of helpers, Camrud, Lukan had two point nights, Kaleb Dahlgren and Stephen Wack also hit the scoresheet. Cross said the offense is producing for various reasons.

“Offensively we have had success by getting more of a shooting mentality and getting more bodies to the net,” he said.

Parker Tobin won his 13th game of the season making 26 saves, Merek Pipes allowed all seven Bronco goals on 43 Bronco shots.

The Broncos remain ten points back of Melfort and will meet the Mustangs in the first round of the post season. With four games remaining in the regular season Cross said the team needs to stay focus despite a solidified playoff position.

“We need to make sure we continue to be disciplined defensively and keep good habits heading into the playoffs,” Cross said.

The Broncos face La Ronge again Saturday at 7:30 p.m.