Hard won win for Broncos as they take game one against La Ronge

As the series progresses, including game two tonight at the EPA, Saretzky said the team has to focus one game at a time no matter what the series is at.

“Just take the game shift by shift, play our way. We have our structure set up how we’re going to win. We’ve watched a lot of video before this series to prepare. So we’re going to do what we do best and that’s how we’re gonna win.”

La Ronge captain Holden Knights kicked off the scoring early in the first period with a pass at the blue from Kole Christensson saw Knights driving the puck in the zone with a one-on-one against Broncos goalie Rayce Ramsay.

The Broncos were quick to answer back with Braiden Koran taking advantage of the power play with some help from Cage Newans.

Some action in front of the net would be too much for La Ronge goalie Xavier Cannon with Alex Morozoff battling the defense for the tap in with just four minutes left in the first making it 2-1. A shot from Rhett Gibson from the circle would sneak past Cannon’s pads making it 3-1 as the buzzer sounded on the first period.

The second period would be all Ice Wolves as Knights and Mkyllan Couture would take advantage of some power play opportunities to score in quick succession to tie up the game. Brandon Della Paolera found the back of the net with a short-handed goal on the Ice Wolves penalty kill to make it 4-3 at the end of second.

Going into the third the Broncos had some ground to recover. Two minutes into the period, a power play drive to Cannon would pay off as Gibson scored his second of the night to tie up the game early in the first. It would be a long period after as the minutes died away and tensions continued to climb. In the end with only 1:22 to spare a Morozoff shot on goal would shoot past the net but Saretzky would be there for the rebound off the boards to sneak one past Cannon for the game winning goal.

An empty netter from Nicksha Eric would seal the deal with a 6-4 game one win for the Broncos.

Both goalies were kept on their toes with Cannon stopping 40 of the Broncos 45 shots with Ramsay stopping 21 out of 25.

Broncos head coach Scott Barney told northeastNOW it took some work to get the players on track after they coasted through the second period but they need to stay focused as the series progresses.

“It’s one of those things where you got to kind of keep focused no matter what the score is, especially in playoffs. There was about two or three minutes there that just tilted back the other way and then we had a good talk here between the second and third and guys get refocused there and then came out and showed their true character.”

Physicality was a big part of game one, especially in front of the net, and Barney said generating those shots on goal is going to be crucial in the coming games.

In other SJHL action, three of the league’s top four teams would take the W with the Battlefords and Melfort beating out Flin Flon and Yorkton.

The underdog Notre Dame Hounds took the W against the first place Estevan Bruins.

The Broncos and Ice Wolves will once again meet tonight for game two with puck drop at the EPA set for 7:30.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim

by Becky Zimmer

Hard won win for Broncos as they take game one against La Ronge

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