The Humboldt Broncos Logan Kurki (#6) added six goals to his season total in three wins this past week. He now tops the leaderboard for the Broncos roster with 21 points, nine goals, and 12 assists. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)
Number one in division

Winning week for Broncos sees them top division, number two in league

Oct 24, 2021 | 1:42 PM

The Humboldt Broncos capped off a successful three-win week with a win at the Elgar Petersen Arena on Oct. 23.

With a 10-4 record, the Broncos are now first place in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Global Ag Risk Solutions Division over Battlefords, Notre Dame, and Kindersley. Within the league, the Broncos are second overall sitting just behind the Flin Flon Bombers who are 11-5.

The Broncos SJHL action kicked off on Oct. 20 with the La Ronge Ice Wolves stalking the Broncos to the Elgar Petersen Arena.

The Broncos trio of Cage Newans, Logan Kurki, and Noah Barlage would be the first to light up the La Ronge net. That included two goals from Newans and Kurki within 26 seconds of each other, early in the first period.

La Ronge would answer back late into the first and third to tie up the contest.

After 60 minutes of gameplay and five minutes of overtime, the pair of SJHL teams would remain at 2-2 going into a shootout.

Cage Newans would strike again to get to the W for the Broncos.

Rayce Ramsay would hold back the Ice Wolves with 28 saves between the pipes, including four shots during the shootout.

The Broncos then faced the Melfort Mustangs in a home-and-home series starting at the Northern Lights Palace on Oct. 22.

An early goal in the second period from Kurki would put the Broncos on the board followed by ones from Matthew Perkins and Lucas Ceccarelli.

After 60 minutes, the Broncos would hold on for a 3-2 win with Ramsay 29 shots on goal.

At the Elgar Petersen Arena, the Broncos would have a similar story as they would be the first to strike with a goals from Perkins midway through the first and a hat trick from Kurki would bring the Broncos up 4-1 heading into the third.

A second goal from the Mustangs would bring some excitement into the third as they would push back on the Broncos for a third late in the third period, even pulling goalie, Joel Favreau for the man advantage. In the end an empty netter from Kurki would seal the W for the home ice team.

Speaking on his six goals in the last three games, Kurki said it is always a team effort.

Tensions were running high going into the third with a lot of in-your-face hockey going on between the Broncos and the Mustangs. The buzzer would sound with 84 penalty minutes racked up by the two teams.

This is nothing new, Kurki told northeastNOW.

“It’s every game in this league. You just try to watch your hands, watch your mouth, control your emotions and not let the other team get the best of you.”

Six goals from Kurki throughout the week now make him number one in points on the Broncos roster with nine goals and 12 assists in 11 games. This sets up slightly over Connor McGrath who has seven goals and 14 assists, both with 21 points. McGrath had held the post since the start of the regular season. Both Broncos players are now at the top of the league statistics as well followed by Jake Southgate of the Battlefords North Stars with 18 points.

Not much is going to change at the Broncos head into next week, said Kurki.

“Same energy, same speed, same passings, same shooting, same everything for next week. Three wins this week, not too much to change.”

The Broncos will finish off the month with a game against the North Stars at the Access Communications Centre in North Battleford on Oct. 29 followed by the Weyburn Red Wings coming to Humboldt on Oct. 30.

becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim

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