It was not their best effort of the season but the Humboldt Broncos did just enough to knock off the Notre Dame Hounds 3-2 in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League action from Humboldt.
The Feb. 13 win was huge for the Broncos as it extended their lead over the Hounds to nine points for fifth spot in league standings.
The Broncos were forced to work for their two points though, as they needed three third period goals to complete a 2-0 third period comeback.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 awesome to steal this game from these guys,鈥� noted Broncos forward Kaleb Dahlgren.
鈥淭hey played well and we played well in the third and that鈥檚 huge for the standings right now since they鈥檙e right behind us. So we鈥檝e got to keep the train rolling and keep on getting points here.鈥�
After the teams played to a scoreless draw in the opening 20 minutes, the Hounds came alive early in the second, scoring goals at 2:37 and 3:23 to grab a 2-0 lead early in period two.
Unfortunately for the green and gold, who were a little flat in the first two periods, they were unable to find the back of the net before the end of the period, sending the game into the third with the Broncos trailing 2-0.
Despite trailing 2-0 and not having their best stuff, the Broncos refused to say die.
Jaxon Joseph got the Broncos on the board at 6:32 of the third period jumping on a rebound and Stephen Wack rifled a shot off the bar just 2:04 later as the Broncos quickly pulled into a third period tie with the Hounds.
With the game winding down, former Hound Kaleb Dahlgren burned his former team once again, beating Jack Ryan with a low wrister to give the Broncos a 3-2 lead with just 2:04 to play.
Dahlgren noted the key to the play was the play made by Matthieu Gomercic.
鈥淚 just saw Gomercic have the puck on the wall and I was coming with speed through the middle and I was like just chip, chip and he chipped me the puck. I saw a little opening on his blocker side because he鈥檚 an other hand goalie and I just shot there and hoped for a rebound and it actually went in so I was really happy with that.鈥�
Dahlgren, who picked up an assist on the tying goal before scoring the winner, has been excellent against the Hounds this season scoring five goals and two assists in seven games. 聽
Included in that stretch was a last second tying goal against the Hounds in the Broncos鈥� second game of the season, and a shootout winner the same night, which does not count as a goal.
Dahlgren joked that a lot of his success is probably just luck.
鈥淚 just enjoy playing these guys. I know their systems so I know a little bit more than other guys do so that helps me, I think.鈥�
The home side were able to shut the door the rest of the way, even killing off a 6-on-4 for the final 1:49, picking up a big two points in the 3-2 win.
With the Broncos trailing by two and not playing their best hockey, the outlook did not look bright on this night, but Dahlgren noted the players in the room still believed, and said the message was simple: never give up.
鈥淚 think in the dressing room we鈥檝e got a great leadership core and we鈥檙e a resilient team and I believe that we can go the length this year because of that period there. That really shows that we have what it takes.鈥�
Parker Tobin picked up the win once again in the Broncos cage turning aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced for his 11th win of the season as the Broncos outshot the Hounds 29-23.
