HUMBOLDT — While the Humboldt Broncos are down 2-0 in their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League semifinals playoff series against Flin Flon, they are not panicking.
“The boys have been faced with adversity before and I have no doubt that there is no quit in this team,” Broncos defenceman Reilly McKinnon said. “The great thing about playoffs is it’s a best of seven series so there’s still plenty of hockey left and I am confident the boys will head into Flin Flon ready to win two games and bring it back to the [Elgar Petersen Arena] series tied.”
The visiting Bombers took Game 1, 3-1, last Friday. The next night, Flin Flon took a 2-0 series lead with a 3-2 overtime victory. Bombers forward Drew Kuzma scored two goals – including the OT winner.
“I thought Game 1 we deserved better,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said. “I thought we took most of the play. They got some fortunate bounces. That’s hockey. Game 2 was a tighter game. It came down to one shot either way. They made a nice shot there in the overtime and win the game. … We’re hoping the bounces go our way in Flin Flon.”
Beating the Broncos at the Elgar Petersen Arena has not happened often in the 2021-22 campaign. Humboldt had the best home record in the regular season at 25-4-0-0. Part of that home ice advantage is no doubt due to the Broncos faithful. The fans came out in force last weekend with an announced attendance of 1,132 on Friday and 1,276 on Saturday.
The series now heads to Flin Flon for two games. The Bombers host the Broncos at the historic Whitney Forum on Friday and Saturday.
“We feel we still have a great opportunity to win the series,” Barney said. “Obviously going there, you’re in a hostile environment. I believe we had the second-best road record (20-9-0-0) in the league in the regular season. I know there’s no quit in our guys. We’re hoping to go there and do the same thing they did to us here and come back all tied up.”
Game 5 would be in Humboldt on Tuesday. Heading into the series against Flin Flon, Barney said:
“I think the biggest thing we got to focus on is they have a complete team. A big team that can really skate. They’re on you all the time. I think they’re deep from their first D to their last D – all 25 guys.”
The Broncos certainly boast depth of their own. Through eight playoff contests, 12 players have recorded at least four points. LeRoy’s Connor McGrath leads Humboldt with 10 points. Alex Morozoff has a team-high four goals and is second with eight points. Nicksha Eric led the Broncos blue line with five points.
The Bombers have been paced in the playoffs by forward Gabriel Shipper and defenceman Rylan Thiessen who have 11 points each. Kuzma led the squad with five goals.
Barney praised Flin Flon netminder Cal Schell. He is 6-2 with a 2.67 goals against average in the playoffs. The Broncos certainly have a strong goalie of their own. Rayce Ramsay, who posted an SJHL record 41 wins in the regular season. Ramsay has a 2.84 GAA this postseason.
Both teams are aware that comebacks can happen. In the quarterfinals, the No. 2-seeded Broncos (45-13-0-0 in the regular season) came back from a 2-1 deficit to beat No. 7 La Ronge (29-24-1-4), 4-2. In their own quarterfinals series, the No. 5 Bombers (34-21-2-1) trailed No. 4 Battlefords (35-17-5-1) 2-0. The Bombers won four straight to dispatch the North Stars. They are now on a six-game winning streak.
The Broncos last week
SJHL Semifinals
Flin Flon leads 2-0
Game One
Friday, April 1 in Humboldt
Flin Flon 3, Humboldt 1
Broncos Scorer: Braiden Koran
Bombers Scorers: Jaeden Mercier, Reece Richmond, Drew Kuzma
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 25 saves on 27 shots; Cal Schell, Flin Flon, 36 on 37
Attendance: 1,132
Notes: The Bombers jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead as they scored two powerplay markers. Following a scoreless second session, Koran made it a one-goal game as he scored with the man advantage. The Broncos were unable to tie things up and Kuzma capped the game with an empty net goal.
Game Two
Saturday, April 2 in Humboldt
Flin Flon 3, Humboldt 2 OT
Broncos Scorers: Jerzy Orchard, Connor McGrath
Bombers Scorers: Drew Kuzma (2), Zak Smith
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 41 saves on 44 shots; Cal Schell, Flin Flon, 35 on 37
Attendance: 1,276
Notes: Orchard opened the game’s scoring in the first period. Kuzma knotted the game at 1-1, on a powerplay, before the first intermission. Neither team found the back of the next in the second. Smith put Flin Flon up 2-1 in the third period. With just less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, McGrath tied the game up at 2-2. Kuzma ended the game after 9:15 of overtime.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos head to Flin Flon this week to continue their best-of-seven second round playoff series with the Bombers leading 2-0. Games three and four will be played Friday and Saturday, respectively. A Broncos’ victory in either contest means a fifth game on April 12 in Humboldt. Flin Flon would host the sixth game on April 15. If the series goes the distance, Humboldt hosts on April 17.
