The Humboldt Broncos were able to score two wins in their series against the Melfort Mustangs, but that was it.
The Mustangs claimed their fourth win in Game 6, played in Humboldt March 13.
Game 5
After a huge last-second win in Game 4, the Broncos travelled to Melfort for Game 5 of their series on March 12. But it seemed like they left their drive to win at home, falling to the 'Stangs 3-1.
The Mustangs recorded their first goal on a power play at 19:38 of the first, their second at 1:08 of the second and their third at 11:30 of the third.
The Broncos were only able to score once, late in the third. Adam Antkowiak got the goal at 19:11, assisted by Kameren Ballas and Josh Roach.
Shots on goal were surprisingly low in the contest, with the Broncos making just 16 shots to the Mustangs' 31 over three periods.
Penalties were again plentiful through the game - calls for elbowing, high sticking, slashing, roughing and hooking were made on both teams.
The most serious of the penalties were called late in the third period. At 15:25, a scuffle between Mustang Sean Aschim and Broncos Troy Gasper and Taylor Johnson resulted in roughing and roughing after the whistle penalties. Gasper and Aschim also earned 10 minute misconducts.
The Broncos were unable to score on any of the eight power plays they were given. The Mustangs scored just once out of their eight power plays.
Antkowiak was the only Bronco to be named as one of the three stars of the game. Even Bronco goaltender Andrew Bodnarchuk did not make that list.
Game 6
On March 12, the Broncos welcomed the Mustangs into the Elgar Petersen Arena. On the hunt for a fourth victory and an end to the series, the Mustangs could not be stopped and downed the Broncos 2-1.
No scoring at all occurred in a lackluster first period of play, though Humboldt did get three power plays and Melfort one.
In the second, it took until 8:14 for Sean Aschim of the Mustangs to put his team ahead 1-0.
That goal seemed to goose the Broncos into action, and Gabe Minville scored on a short pass from Pat Tran in front of the Melfort net at 10:03. Brendan Fornwald was also credited with an assist.
Tied 1-1, the game headed into a tense third period.
The Mustangs scored early, on a power play at 3:13. Unlike Game 4, however, the Broncos were unable to come up with even a tying goal in the last seconds, despite a Melfort penalty and pulling their goalie in the last minute to give them a six-on-four advantage.
Melfort won the game 2-1 and the series 4-2.
Penalties abounded in the game once again, though very much on the Melfort side this time. Humboldt was given seven power plays, but could not score on any. The Mustangs scored once out of three power plays.
Dayton Shaw was the only Bronco to be named among the three stars of the game.
After the final buzzer, while the Mustangs celebrated moving on in the playoffs, Humboldt goaltender Andrew Bodnarchuk, the only graduating player on the team, skated back onto the ice to salute the fans, followed by the rest of his teammates.
The Broncos' end of season banquet is set for Saturday, March 19.
