It only took 39 seconds for Humboldt Broncos rookie forward, Matthew Perkins (pictured here earlier in the season), to score the game-winning goal in overtime against the Melfort Mustangs. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Becky Zimmer

Battle of the herds

Broncos take W in first half of home-and-home with Mustangs

Jan 15, 2022 | 9:03 AM

The Humboldt Broncos took the first W in a home and home series with the Melfort Mustangs as they met at the Northern Lights Palace on Friday night.

While both teams came into the game with impressive numbers, the Mustangs on a nine-game winning streak and the Broncos with seven wins in their last 10 games, it would be the Broncos who came out on top with the 4-3 overtime win.

The meeting with Mustangs featured some new faces as newly acquired Jaydon Jessiman, James Form and Jared Kaplowitz played their first games with the green and gold with Jerzy Orchard playing only his second of his Broncos career. Humboldt’s own McLaren Paulsen was also called up as an associate player to play his first SJHL game of his career.

Nine Broncos were not dressed for the game.

An uneventful first period led to a lead for the Mustangs with goals from Ben Tkachuk and Cameron Emigh in the second to give the Mustangs a 2-0 lead heading into the third.

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The Broncos would strike first in the third as Alec Saretzky, with help from Connor McGrath and Matthew Perkins, found the back of the net just 1:32 in the period to put them on the board. However, the celebration was short-lived as a goal from Carter Anderson just 14 seconds later would bring the Mustang back to a two-goal lead.

Two power play chances would mean extra goals later in the third as Noah Barlage would add his fifth of the season with goalie Rayce Ramsay earning his second assist of the season. Saretzky found the back of the net once again for his 25th.

At 3-3 in the dying minutes, both teams would hold their own as they prepared for overtime. A shorthanded goal from Matthew Perkins just 39 seconds in would mean the win for the Broncos.

Ramsay would pick up the win in net, as he saved 23 out of 26 shots.

With two points to add to their team total, the first place Broncos are now at 58 points in 39 SJHL games, just five points over the second-place Estevan Bruins.

The Broncos will work to make that two wins as the Mustangs will stampede over to the Elgar Petersen Arena for the second half of the home and home tonight.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim