HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Broncos started the new season in style by galloping past the Notre Dame Hounds in a pair of games.
The Broncos got the 2021-22 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League campaign underway with a 5-1 victory in Wilcox over the Notre Dame Hounds on Sept. 24. The next night, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Elgar Petersen Arena, the Broncos kept the goal judges busy. They downed the visiting Hounds, 9-3, to improve to 2-0 on the young season.
“The atmosphere was amazing,” said Broncos forward and LeRoy product Connor McGrath of the EPA last Saturday. “We had plenty of fans that came out and cheered hard and loud. It was a lot of fun to play in front of a big crowd like that.”
Regarding his team’s opening two contests, Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said:
“I was impressed with the effort from all of the players who played in each game. Just the effort level, the compete, and the overall playing for 60 minutes each game.
“It was also good to see all the lines, pairings, and the players gelling together. You can really see the chemistry forming out there from shift to shift.”
A highlight of the opening weekend was country music artist Greg Rider taking part in the home opener festivities. He performed “Sixteen Sticks,” his tribute to the April 6, 2018 Broncos bus crash tragedy.
After the SJHL’s 2021 opening weekend, the Broncos were one of only three teams with an undefeated record. The Nipawin Hawks and Estevan Bruins also went 2-0. Ten of the SJHL’s 12 teams played last weekend. Melville and Weyburn were idle due to a positive COVID-19 case associated with the Millionaires organization.
The Humboldt team and the Estevan squad both allowed only four goals against on the weekend – tops in the league. Broncos goalie Rayce Ramsay’s 2.00 goals against average tied him for the SJHL lead with Estevan’s Boston Bilous and Melfort’s Joel Favreau.
The Broncos led the SJHL with 14 goals scored in two games. McGrath and Nipawin’s Phil Laberge were tied for the SJHL points lead with seven. Humboldt boasted five of the league’s top seven scorers after the weekend.
This week the Broncos were slated to host the Millionaires on Wednesday, but that game was cancelled. Last week the league announced that Melville’s games were postponed until further notice.
Starting on Friday against the Battlefords North Stars, the Humboldt team is away from home for five straight games. This includes, among other games, Saturday’s visit to Kindersley and next week’s SJHL Showcase.
Leaders Named
Fourth-year defenceman Kade Olsen has been named the Broncos captain. The 20-year-old from Saskatoon was an assistant captain last season.
Humboldt’s own Noah Barlage will be an assistant captain this season. The 18-year-old defenceman is in his third season with the club.
Twenty-year-old Braiden Koran, a forward from Kimberley, B.C., will once again serve as an assistant captain. Maple Ridge, B.C. product Logan Kurki, a 20-year-old forward, will also wear an “A”
SJHL Showcase
The SJHL Showcase will be held Oct. 4-6 in Warman. The event draws scouts from a variety of higher levels of hockey to watch all 12 of the SJHL’s teams in one place. Each squad will play two games – a “home” and an “away” – that will count in the standings.
“I’m looking forward to two intense and hopefully good games. The exposure and environment that comes with it. Also having my parents there watching,” Kurki said.
The Broncos Last Week
Friday, Sept. 24 in Wilcox
Humboldt 5, Notre Dame 1
Broncos Scorers: Connor McGrath (2), Alec Saretzky, Braiden Koran, Lucas Ceccarelli
Hounds Scorer: Landon Peterson
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 30 saves on 31 shots; Joe Kuchaslo, Notre Dame, 35 on 40
Attendance: 295
Notes: LeRoy’s McGrath and Logan Kurki each had three points. Ten Broncos picked up points. The lone goal Ramsay allowed came on the powerplay. Humboldt killed off seven of the Hounds’ eight powerplay opportunities. The Broncos scored once on five powerplay opportunities. Humboldt had 49 penalty minutes on 15 infraction, while Notre Dame had 20 minutes on 10 infractions.
Saturday, Sept. 25 in Humboldt
Humboldt 9, Notre Dame 3
Broncos Scorers: Kade Olsen, Logan Kurki, Cody Hough, Noah Barlage, Nicksha Eric, Matthew Perkins, Braiden Koran, Lucas Ceccarelli, Alec Saretzky
Hounds Scorers: Jaryd Sych, Oliver Band, Elliot Dutil
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 18 saves on 21 shots; Aiden Van Der Tas, Notre Dame, 19 on 24; Joe Kuchaslo, Notre Dame, 8 on 9
Notes: Fourteen Humboldt players recorded at least a point. The Broncos took a 3-1 first period lead and then outscored the Hounds 5-0 in the second. Connor McGrath recorded three assists. Perkins had three points. The Broncos scored three powerplay goals while allowing one.
This Week
Humboldt was slated to host the Melville Millionaires on Wednesday but contests against the latter team were suspended due to a positive COVID-19 case associated with the organization. The Broncos are on the road against the Battlefords North Stars on Friday and versus the Kindersley Klippers on Saturday. At the SJHL Showcase in Warman, the Broncos tangle with Weyburn on Monday and Estevan on Oct. 6.
