The Humboldt Broncos snapped a three-game losing streak by playing perhaps their best game of the year in a 5-0 win over the Nipawin Hawks on Oct. 12. The win evened the Broncos' record at 4-4, good for second place in the Kramer Division.
"We had our moments where we were soft on getting pucks out but it was a pretty complete effort for the most part," said head coach Dean Brockman.
David Miazga and Logan Sproule scored two goals apiece, but it was young Jarrett Fontaine that opened the scoring just four minutes in. Early on this season the Broncos have struggled to generate offence from their young players, so it was huge to get a goal from Fontaine, his first of the season.
Standing outside of the locker room after the game, Fontaine flashed a gap-toothed grin when talking about a long scoring drought for him.
"I haven't scored a goal in a long time," he said. "I think it dates back to January of last year so it felt pretty good to put one in. Any way I can chip in for the team is nice."
With friends and family watching, Fontaine added a third period assist for two points on the night. He was cut from the WHL's Prince George Cougars earlier this year before returning home.
"I got cut from them but I wasn't even upset," Fontaine said. "It's fun to play in front of your home fans and it's nice living at home."
Also making a splash against Nipawin was goalie Ryland Pashovitz, who made his first appearance in net since suffering a groin injury during the preseason. Pashovitz stopped all 29 shots he saw and gave Nipawin's shooters very little to look at.
After the game he was wearing a green hard hat with the Broncos logo emblazoned on it, a reward from his teammates for being named the hardest worker of the game.
"I was a little bit nervous off the start," Pashovitz said of his debut, "but once the game started I felt better, the nerves went away and I started to play my game."
Along with Cade Spencer and Tyler Ross, Pashovitz is one of three goalies competing for a top spot that is still unfilled. Despite the competition, Pashovitz said the relationship between the three is solid.
"At practice we tap each other on the pads, keep each other pumped up between periods," he said. "We're all friendly but we try to keep it competitive at the same time."
Needless to say, Brockman was impressed with Pashovitz's debut.
"He's composed and that's what we like about him," the coach said. "He made the game look pretty easy and sometimes you wonder if a guy hasn't played in a while if it's going to be that way."
Beyond the two points in the standings, the biggest benefit to the Broncos may have been a restoration of any confidence lost during the losing streak.
"When you lose three in a row you lose some of your confidence," Brockman said. "It doesn't matter if you're young or old or a forward, goalie, or defenceman. If you win it gives you confidence for the next game."
It's still early in the season, so Brockman continues to mix and match with combinations.
"I liked our consistency throughout all our lines," he said. "There wasn't one line that was better than the next one."
The proof was in the pudding: the Broncos controlled the game from start to finish and might be starting to develop the consistency that has eluded them so far this season.
