William Dyke (left) started in net for the Broncos against La Ronge on Nov. 25 and earned his first win on Dec. 3 after a shootout with the Flin Flon Bombers. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)
Humboldt Broncos

Multiple shining stars for Broncos in weekend split with Bombers

Dec 5, 2021 | 3:23 PM

The Humboldt Broncos were once again on the road this past weekend as they faced Flin Flon.

While the green and gold would split the weekend with a 4-3 shootout win on Friday and a 6-3 loss on Saturday, the series still meant some strong performances from numerous players.

Since joining the team on Nov. 20, goalie William Dyke earned his first win on Friday stopping 34 out of 37 shots on goal, as well as two in the shootout.

Dyke told northeastNOW it has been a whirlwind settling down in his new home, especially when his first night on the bench was just two hours after he first arrived in Humboldt after an eight-hour drive.

Dyke said he has been welcomed with open arms onto the team, especially with this being his first overnight road trip.

“It’s been easy, they’re all great and easy to get along with and this weekend was great to get on a bit better and get to bond a little bit on the road.”

The Broncos win is also courtesy of two goals from Conner McGrath and one from Ethan Zielke. Three goals in the third period from the Bombers would push the game into overtime and eventually to a shootout where goals from Matthew Perkins and Alex Morozoff would get them the win.

Following a split with the Flin Flon Bombers, Broncos forward was named first star in both games. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

The game on Saturday was a different story for the green and gold as a tricky third period would see the Broncos down by three going into the second. While they would stage a comeback with goals from Morozoff in the second and McGrath and Samuel Marburg in the third, Flin Flon remained a couple steps ahead to take the 6-3 win.

Even with the loss, Morozoff would be named first star for both games for his performance. So far, the new Broncos has earned four goals and seven assists in 10 games with the green and gold.

Head coach and general manager Scott Barney explained there are a couple of potential reasons for that slow first period.

“There could be a million different things and in the end there’s no excuses and you know you got to learn from your losses, right.”

Going into next week, the Broncos will host the Notre Dame Hounds on Dec. 8 and the Estevan Bruins on Dec. 11. Barney added there is plenty to learn from the loss in Flin Flon.

“That’s been a few times this year there are losses that we kind of gave up too many goals early and didn’t find a way to fight back, right,…when we’re skating and engaged, we play well. When we’re not skating, starts like that (first period in Flin Flon) happen.”

The Broncos are now in second place in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with 44 points, 22 wins and eight losses. Estevan holds the first place spot with 28 games, 21 wins, 7 losses, and 44 points. The Dec. 11 game will be the last time Estevan and Humboldt will face off in regular season action, Humboldt has won two of the three regular season games against the Bruins.

Following the Nov. 30 game in Kindersley, the Broncos’ SJHL season is officially at the halfway point.

becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim

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