HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Broncos had a strong first period, the La Ronge Ice Wolves caught up in the second, then the Broncos broke a tie to win their first game of the playoffs.
The final score for the March 18 game, Game 1 of the Humboldt-La Ronge playoff series, was 6-4.
In the first period Holden Knights of the Ice Wolves scored the first goal. That was answered by three goals by the Broncos' Braiden Koran, Alex Morozoff and Rhett Gibson.
La Ronge recovered in the second period, with Knights, Mkyllan Couture and Brandon Della Paolera scoring goals.
In the third period, Rhett Gibson and Alec Saretzky scored power play goals for the Broncos, then Nicksha Eric added an extra goal for Humboldt, scoring an empty netter.
"We were up 3-1," said Saretzky. "We got a little too comfortable, let them back in the game but battled through in the end and came out with a win, which is the most important part."
It was Saretzky's third period score that broke the tie the Broncos had in the last part of the game and led them to victory. The right-winger described the goal to local media.
"To be totally honest with you, I saw it coming on my back end and I actually got a little nervous that I wasn't going to get the puck off in time and score, but it all worked out in the end. It was pretty exciting."
Saretzky said he pumped when he realized he scored the goal.
The Broncos face off against the Ice Wolves for Game 2 at Humboldt's Elgar Petersen Arena on March 19 at 7:30 p.m. Saretzky said now this game is over, it's time to come out flying in the next game
"I think we learned what happens when we get comfortable. They're a good team, they can come back. You just have to fight through it all game and play our way and we'll win."
