Record: 2-0
Who's Up Front:
Newcomer Matt Glowa had a strong weekend for the Broncos. He chipped in two goals and added an assist during the two-game weekend set against the Notre Dame Hounds. Glowa leads the Broncos with three points, and is seeing some ice-time with both Spencer Braaten and Justin Buzzeo. If these three can break-free - The Stars could be in for a tough night defensively.
Who's on D:
Humboldt's blue-line is young but it's effective. Case and point: Tanner Clark. Clark returned from Swift Current (WHL Camp) and was promptly named SJHL Defenceman of the Week. He didn't register on the score-sheet, but showed a ton of poise for a 17-year-old. If Dean Brockman has his way, Clark will be an integral part of not only this season's success but also for next year's run to the Royal Bank Cup which Humboldt is hosting.
Who's in Goal:
Bronco's play-by-play man Darryl Skender told me on the Sports Fix last night that Andrew Bodnarchuk will get the start. The Stars have had their struggles against Bodnarchuk in recent years, and for good reason. Bodnarchuk is the reigning SJHL M.V.P and already has posted a GAA of .931. Granted it's only one-game and the North Star's offense should pose a tough challenge.
X-Factor:
Nick Keller is one of those players who can sometimes float completely under the radar, and yet at the end of the night he'll have recorded three points. Keller is quick, grity and has more offensive skill than most give him credit for. He's got championship experience, and often seems to be at his best when he faces the Battlefords North Stars. If Keller and company can provide the Broncos with some secondary scoring, they'll have a great shot at starting this season 3-0.
Record: 0-1
Who's Up Front:
Last year the Stars scored the most goals in the SJHL and they did so with tremendous depth. That depth looks to be just as strong, if not stronger this year. Six different goal-scorers lit the lamp for the Stars on Saturday and they'll be looking for something similar tonight. The kid line of Tim Rollins, Tanner Schwab and Shayne Morrissey looked strong against Kindersley, and could be destined for a similar type of game. No doubt a lot of defensive attention will be paid to the likes of Blake Tatchell, Brett Miller, Josh Daley etc. Perhaps it's possible that these three slip under the radar and crack the score-sheet.
Who's on D:
Defenceman Woody Klassen quietly put together a three-point night for the Stars on Saturday. Klassen scored 11 goals last year, and is the definite favourite to lead the North Star's blue-line in scoring this season. Klassen skated alongside Zach MacLellan Saturday, and those two showed some good defensive chemistry early on.
Who's in Goal:
Kyle Birch will get his first start of the season. Birch would have played Saturday but was serving the final game of a three-game suspension that he received during the pre-season. Birch loves to play Humboldt, and seems to rise-up against the Broncos. Remember back in 2009-2010 when Kyle Birch nearly beat the Broncos in the playoffs? He should have no trouble finding motivation for tonight's contest.
X-Factor:
The penalty-kill. If the Stars want to find the win column their penalty-kill needs to improve. They need to bear-down, simplify and take away the shooting lanes for some of Humboldt's snipers. Penalties are inevitable, but the Stars penalty-killers need to help their goaltender and make plays when their short-handed. A strong penalty-kill will go a long way in solidifying their first win of the season.
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