Questionable calls capsize Broncos in game one

The Broncos scored twice with the man advantage in Friday’s game one of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) semi-final in Nipawin but a power-play goal for the Hawks gave them a 3-2 victory.

Nipawin scored the first goal, Tyler Adams beat Parker Tobin with a wrist shot while the Broncos were on the power-play at 14:51 of the first frame.

The game remained 1-0 until Adams drilled Brayden Camrud from behind just past the game’s halfway point. The 20-year-old was assessed a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. Conner Lukan scored his first goal of the playoffs at 15:03; Bryce Fiske put the Broncos up 2-1 just 33 seconds later with his first of the playoffs as well. Logan Schatz drew assists on both goals, the captain said they regrouped after a slow first.

“The guys battled really hard tonight, we didn’t have the greatest start to the game, but we went into the room and realized as a group we could do better,” he said.

The Broncos held the one-goal cushion until Nipawin had goaltender Declan Hobbs on the bench for an extra attacker. Thomas Lenchyshyn jumped on a rebound in front of Tobin tying the game at 2-2 with under two minutes to play.

The clubs traded chances throughout the fourth period, Schatz was forced to leave the game for a portion of the period after he was hit with a high-stick. The play that wasn’t called a penalty knocked out several teeth and left a trail of blood towards the exit gate as the Allan product left for repairs with athletic therapist Dayna Brons.

Michael Grant ended the game at 2:33 of double-overtime while the Hawks were on their seventh power-play and second of extra-time. Schatz said the way the Broncos lost left as bad taste in their mouths.

“They found a way to win tonight with a couple power-plays in overtime, it was tough,” he said.

The Broncos were 2/4 with the man advantage, Nipawin had the game’s final four power-plays, they finished 1/7.

Tobin was spectacular making 44 stops, Hobbs made 33 stops in the win.

Game two is Saturday in Nipawin, face-off is 7:30 p.m. The series shifts to the Elgar Petersen Arena on April 3 and 4.