Top Broncos Taking Charge

Written by: Rory McGouran

Your lead horses have to take charge, and the top line of the Humboldt Broncos has come bursting out of the gates in 2020.

The Humboldt Broncos are 3-1-1-0 in the new year and the top line of Logan Foster, Tristan Shewchuk, and Luke Spadafora have been leading the charge.

All three Broncos find themselves on lengthy point streaks. Foster is currently on a 5-game point streak with 14 points over that span. Shewchuk has secured points in his last 6 games with 12 total, and Spadafora has picked up 13 points in his 8-game point streak.

“They have been great together and it starts with their work ethic,” said Head Coach Scott Barney. “They work hard, compete hard, and it’s not only in the games, but it’s also in practice. When you have those guys going in practice, it makes everyone else around you better, and compete better.”

The dominance on the ice has led to the trio scoring 14 of the 25 Broncos’ goals in the new year and picking up 35 of the 74 total points, good for 47% of the offence in 2020.

The pairing of Foster and Shewchuk has been together for the majority of the season. The addition of Spadafora came four games before the holiday break. Following the two-week Christmas hiatus, the trio has found instant chemistry, and in turn, has become one of the most dangerous lines in the SJHL, creating offensive attacks on every shift.

“They do the little things so well. They get the pucks out of the d-zone, they all draw attention to themselves which opens up their linemates, and the biggest thing is that they always move their feet. When you’re moving your feet, especially at this level, you’re dangerous. It puts the opposition team on their heels, and when you got the other team on their heels it can really create some offence, so far they’ve been able to do that,” said Barney.

The Humboldt Broncos currently sit in 7th place in the SJHL, four points behind 5th and 6th place Melfort and Nipawin, respectively, and four points up on 8th place Estevan.

The top 8 teams will clinch a playoff spot. With the lead horses supplying ample amounts of offence, the secondary scoring chipping in routinely, and goaltender Brendan Forman finding his groove in the new year, the Broncos will prove to be a tough out for any opposing team when the lights shine their brightest on the SJHL playoffs.

“They push it every night, and now, all the other lines are following. The leadership group on and off the ice has been great. It starts in practice, and the work ethic we get in practice has led to a lot of our success on the ice.”

The Broncos will look for continued success from all 20 horses, including the top line, when they travel to Melfort to take on the rival Mustangs on Friday, January 17th.