For the first time this season, the Humboldt Broncos lost a game in front of a home-town crowd. But by no means did they make it easy for their opponents.
Things looked good for Humboldt in the first period of their game against the Battlefords North Stars, played October 12 on home ice.
Bronco Justin Buzzeo gave his team an early lead with a goal at 6:28 of the first period, assisted by Jeremy Boyer and Nick Keller.
After failing to capitalize on a number of good scoring opportunities, in the second, the Broncos increased their lead to two with a power play goal by Riley Gillies at 10:49. Ward Szucki and Josh Roach got the assists.
But what looked like some flagging energy on the Bronco bench allowed the Stars to catch up, then surpass the hometown team with a power play goal at 17:26 of the second, an even-strength point just 46 seconds into the third, and another goal at 9:33 of the third.
The Broncos stepped on the gas once again and were able to score a tying goal at 17:02 of the third. Brenden Kotyk got the point, while Neil Landry and Kenton Valliant earned the assists.
Despite another power play for the Stars at the end of the third, neither team was able to score before the end of regulation time, which led to a five-minute overtime period.
Once again, neither team was able to score within the five minutes.
Finally, the game went into a shoot-out.
For the Broncos, Justin Buzzeo, Jeremy Boyer, Spencer Braaten, Nick Keller and Ward Szucki all took shots on Battlefords goaltender Graham Hildebrand. All were denied.
At the other end of the ice, Bronco netminder Andrew Bodnarchuk stopped pucks from Shayne Morrissey, Colin Phaneuf, Keith Grondin and Blake Tatchell. However, when Brody Luhning got past Bodnarchuk's stick, the Stars claimed a 3-2 victory, disappointing the crowd of over 500 at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
Humboldt was one for five on the power play throughout the three periods, while the Stars were one for seven.
The Broncos outshot the Stars 48 to 35.
The three stars of the game were Hildebrand and Cody Folstad of the Stars and Josh Roach of Humboldt.
