Written By: Rory McGouran
Two thrilling games against the leagues top team, but one of the most painful possible endings.
The Broncos and Melfort Mustangs wrapped up their season series on Saturday at the Elgar Petersen Arena, with the Mustangs defeating Humboldt 4-3.
Two of a possible four points, and back-to-back one-goal games against the SJHL’s first place team, should be advertised as a pretty successful weekend. However, losing the second game at home with 4.8 seconds left in regulation after tying the game 15 seconds earlier left a bitter taster it what otherwise was 120 minutes of some of the best hockey on display this season.
Oakly McIlwain opened the scoring in the first period, deflecting home his 10th goal of the season moving him into a second-place tie for goals and points by a defenseman. The Broncos took the 1-0 lead into the second frame while outshooting Melfort 14-8.
Both teams entered the game once again feeling the rigors of late February hockey with depleted lineups due to injuries. A total of four AP callups were thrusted into the lineup, two aside.
Melfort returned to their advantageous ways in the second period filling the net for three straight goals. Tristan Ziola added a pair, and Noland Roberts built a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.
Melfort was 29-0-0 with a lead entering the third period this season,
Another painful aspect the Broncos have to stomach, was special teams. The game probably shouldn’t have ever been in Melfort’s favour. Humboldt has been on the wrong side of 85% of games when it come to powerplay opportunities this season. Only 8 times prior have the Broncos had more powerplays than their opponent through 60 minutes. 41 times its either been tied, or their opponent has had more calls go their way.
Saturday’s game was not the case. The Broncos had eight powerplay opportunities, which included two separate 5-on-3 situations, Melfort had three. The Broncos were unable to score until the eighth and final one.
Kye Benoche was almost the hero of the night scoring his 15th and 16th goal of the season to tie the game. His first came on that final powerplay with 6:30 left in regulation. The Broncos then did exactly what the Mustangs did to them the night before, scoring with under 30 seconds left and the goaltender pulled to tie the game 3-3 and force overtime.
However, overtime was not to be.
Melfort took the opening faceoff, broke into the Broncos zone, took a shot from the blue line and crashed the front of the net. The puck went off of McIlwain and behind Brady Holtvogt with 4.8 seconds left to exhaust the jubilation throughout the EPA and secure a 4-3 regulation win.
Overall, Humboldt should be proud of the effort they put forth in two of the best hockey games this season. But with a lack of powerplay effectiveness and the agony of the way they were defeated, this one will sting for a bit.
The Broncos will need to stay mentally sharp when they host the Weyburn Red Wings on Wednesday, February 26th.
