The Humboldt Broncos will be firing back against Cal Schell and the Flin Flon Bombers tonight for game three of the SJHL semi-finals. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)
Bustin' to break the Bombers

Broncos ready to fight back against Bombers as puck drops on game three

Apr 8, 2022 | 3:25 PM

The Humboldt Broncos are on the road this weekend to continue their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League semi-final series with Flin Flon.

Unfortunately the Broncos are going against the Bombers with a disadvantage as Flin Flon is sitting 2-0 in the series with two home games, and an enthusiastic crowd, in their favour.

Head coach Scott Barney told northeastNOW that the team is ready to go and seems fairly energized, even after a tough week with the bus accident anniversary.

Barney said they are always thinking of those involved and their families.

“Obviously we want to play for them and the weekend here.”

The team made the seven hour drive up to Flin Flon yesterday and had a practice this morning.

Barney believes they deserved better with two home games not going their way and some unlucky bounces but in playoff hockey, things can go either way.

“All we need to focus on now more is, when the puck drops here tonight, we can’t really work in the past.”

So far this round games have been low scoring with the Broncos having a chance to tie it up in the dying minutes during last Friday’s match up before the Bombers’ empty netter finished them off. Last Saturday’s loss in overtime again was a tight affair.

Some award winning names are also up against each other this series.

The SJHL handed out their divisional awards this week with three Broncos receiving five awards, a clean sweep, in the Global Ag Risk Solutions division. Goalie Rayce Ramsay took home both the SGEU Most Valuable Player and SaskTel Top Goaltender for his last year with the Broncos.

His record breaking wins, minutes played, save percentage, and goals-against average were top of the league among starting goaltenders.

Broncos forward Conner McGrath took home two awards as well with his name on the RBC Top Forward and Directwest Top Rookie awards.

McGrath consistently topped the top scorer leaderboard all season and finished with 84 points in 56 games, over a third of which was on the power play. His points, assists, and game-winning goals totals were the most among all SJHL rookies, stated the SJHL on their website.

Humboldt’s own Noah Barlage took home the award for Mayfair Diagnostics Top Defenceman this season.

With 34 assists and 42 points during the regular season he topped the division and was second in the league for SJHL defencemen.

The Broncos are also up against the Sherwood Division’s MVP and top goaltender, Cal Schell, tonight as they try to fire shots past him tonight and tomorrow.

Barney said they have to generate the traffic in front of Schell if they want to beat him out for the goals.

Also on the ice is Xavier LaPointe who also took home the award for the division’s top defenceman.

The winner of this series will also be facing the Estevan Bruins in the final round as they swept their series with Yorkton, 4-0, this week.

Puck drops tonight is at 6:30 p.m. due to Flin Flon running on CST time.

becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim

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