Two games at the SJHL Showcase and two of the Broncos’ star players shined in the spotlight, picking up hat-tricks in the process.
The Humboldt Broncos travelled to Warman, SK for the annual SJHL Showcase, an that brings all 12 SJHL teams to one location for two games in front of fans, families, and most importantly scouts across the hockey landscape. The Humboldt Broncos faced off against the Weyburn Red wings on October 4th, before a battle with the Estevan Bruins on the 6th.
Outside of the opening period of the Broncos first showcase game against the Red Wings, it was an effort the players should be happy about. The compete level was high, and the talent was on display, even at an event where stress levels may ride higher due to the exposure from many scouts looking to interpret your future post-secondary capabilities.
The Broncos eventually fell to the Wings 5-3 on Monday. However, after a lackadaisical start where the Wings took a 2-0 after the first period, the Broncos outshot Weyburn 25-15 and had most of the play slanted inside their oppositions end. The big story was Alec Saretzky, who finished with three goals on the night, his league-leading 6th, 7th, and 8th on the year.
After a day off on Tuesday, the Broncos returned to Warman on Wednesday for a 1030am start against the Centennial Cup host Estevan Bruins. This time it was Connor McGrath’s chance to shine.
The Broncos jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, with McGrath scoring his 3rd and 4th goals of the year. Late penalty troubles in the first period, a trend that would continue throughout the game, allotted the Bruins a 5 on 3 where they capitalized and cut the lead to 2-1 heading into the second frame. Although the Bruins outshot the Broncos 24-17 the rest of the way, Broncos’ goalie Rayce Ramsay stood strong, and with help from McGrath’s first career SJHL hat-trick, the Broncos secured a 3-2 victory.
The win improved the Broncos record to 4-2 on the season. They currently sit three points back on the division leading Battlefords North Stars with one game in hand.
The Broncos have a chance to change that narrative, as the two teams will meet next in a home and home set on October 8th and 9th.
