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Divisional showdown

Broncos spoil Wolverines home finale with bittersweet win

Mar 13, 2026 | 11:45 PM

The Warman Wolverines closed out the home half of their schedule the same way they opened it as they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Humboldt Broncos on Friday night at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex.

The Broncos, who spoiled the Wolverines’ inaugural home opener in September with a 3-0 victory, didn’t get to enjoy their latest triumph, however, as they were eliminated from playoff contention moments after the game ended when the Estevan Bruins defeated the Weyburn Red Wings to claim the eighth and final SJHL postseason berth.

Kristian Lacelle scored twice and Brady Holtvogt made 35 saves for Humboldt, which improved to 6-1 against Warman this season. Kanyan Unger had the Wolverines’ lone tally, ending a stretch of 173 minutes without a goal for the team, which was shut out in its previous two games.

The Broncos got off to a quick start on Friday with Marik Mamic putting a rebound past Wolverines netminder Griffin Wright just 30 seconds into the contest. It would be the only goal of an opening period that saw Warman outshoot Humboldt, 12-9.

The visitors began the second on the power play and took full advantage with Lacelle getting a step behind the defence and slotting home his fifth goal of the season to double the lead. Midway through the frame, the Saskatoon product netted his second of the night, beating Wright to a loose puck at the edge of the crease and firing a sharp angle shot off the post and into the net.

The Wolverines finally got on the board in the dying seconds of the frame as Trey Markus fired from the right wing boards and Unger was right outside the blue paint to pot the rebound for his eighth goal of the season.

The home side looked to continue the comeback in the third but Holtvogt stood tall, stopping all 15 shots that he faced in the period to help preserve the win for Humboldt. But it would prove to be a hollow victory with Estevan’s win over Weyburn officially eliminating the Broncos from the playoff race.

The Wolverines have dropped four straight contests and now sit at 14-35-6, while the Broncos improve to 25-26-4 with the victory. The Nutrien Division rivals will meet once more in Humboldt to wrap up the season, with puck drop from Elgar Petersen Arena scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be heard live on SaskNow.com.

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