Written by: Rory McGouran
The Humboldt Broncos received a dazzling performance from their newly acquired goaltender but struggled to supporting him offensively in a 2-1 loss to the Flin Flon Bombers on Saturday night.
Dazza Mitchell made his highly anticipated debut for the Broncos after being acquired in a trade eight days ago and he did not disappoint the Elgar Petersen Arena fans, stopping 42 of 44 shots faced, giving his new team every opportunity to stay within striking range.
Unfortunately, the Broncos offense, who rose to stronger standards as the game progressed, were unable to capitalize more than a Maric Mamic second period goal.
Mitchell’s first two shots faced as a Humboldt Bronco were about as difficult as you could ask for. The former SJHL Goalie of the Year Finalist stopped a pair of clear cut breakaways to Joey Lies and Bombers’ leading scorer, Ryder Ringor in the opening five minutes of the game, surely foreshadowing good things to come for Broncos fans hoping for some crease comfortability through the playoff push. Especially if the offence returns to its high scoring prowess as accustomed in the first few months of the season.
Liam Hunks, the Bombers big fish acquisition at their trade deadline approach, scored the opening goal of the games on the tail end of a 5-on-3 powerplay in the first period, while Ryder Mucha notched his third of the season as the game winner in the third period.
The Broncos offense was a bit anemic to start, only amounting 12 shots on net throughout the first and second period combined. However, they came to life and most definitely looked like the better team in the third, outshooting the Bombers 15-6, albeit unable to beat Matthew Keiper who turned aside 26 of 27 picking up his 11th win of the season.
The two teams will wrap up their season series with a 4:00pm matinee on Sunday. The Bombers currently have a 2-1 lead in the series.
