The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
With the Elimination Series of the playoffs just around the corner, the SJHL has put together a preview for the Bauer Conference. The fourth place La Ronge Ice Wolves take on the fifth place Humboldt Broncos. The Broncos were 3-2-0-and-1 against the Ice Wolves, who were 3-and-3 against Humboldt. Top Scorers Head to Head La Ronge Mike Alexander 6-4-4-8, Dustin Stevenson 6-3-3-6, Ben Findlay 6-1-5-6, Doug Lindensmith 6-2-3-5, Marc-Andre Carre 6-1-3-4. Humboldt Justin Buzzeo 6-4-5-9, Shawn Hunter 4-2-3-5, Nick Keller 6-1-4-5, Steven Taylor 5-0-5-5, Troy Gasper 6-3-1-4. The Goalies The Ice Wolves have a couple of options in playoff tested Joel Danyluk (8-10-2, 3.43, .902) and top flight starter Adam Bartko (21-10-5, 2.93, .917). Danyluk's presence really seemed to push Bartko, who posted a 2.33 GAA and a .935 SPCT after the former arrived on the scene. Danyluk only made one start against Humboldt, and he was pulled early in the second period of a blow out loss. Humboldt is expected to go with Andrew Bodnarchuk (18-14-6, 2.82, .916) and he's backed up by Kirk Croswell (5-7-1, 3.07, .907). Bodnarchuk has played better than his numbers show as he's generally regarded as one of the best in the league and he usually saves his best for big games. Despite a 3.24-GAA against La Ronge, he still had an impressive .920 SPCT against them. The Defense It is hard to argue with Mike Alexander and Dustin Stevenson being the top two defensemen in the league. Paired together on the power play, they can be almost unstoppable. Alexander led all SJHL blueliners with 54 points and Stevenson was second with 47. Colton MacPherson and Kirk Moore give the team a top four that is pretty close to unmatched. This unit moves the puck well and can play physical when they need to. Humboldt was loaded on the back end for each of the three years they won the Credit Union Cup. The talent has thinned this year and the unquestioned leader is Kyle Cowan, who will see a lot of ice time in all situations. Rookie Josh Roach has been thrust into a prominent role and Kenton Valliant was a member of last year's team who's often been compared to the steady stay-at-home Matt Rintoul from a few years back. The return of Garrett Leedahl from the WHL on January 10th instantly made this an above average defense. The forwards A number of deals during the season and some shrewd pick-ups by head coach Bob Beatty has allowed La Ronge to put out any combination of three lines that will be capable of breaking the game open. Doug Lindensmith and Ben Findlay were go-to players all season. Aaron DeCorby was added from Melville, Liam Brennan came from Estevan, and rookie Marc-Andre Carre has been an impressive find. Throw in the likes of former Bronco Taylor Piller, Travis Gordon, Travis Eggum, Nolan Souchotte, and a great character contributor in Dan Conacher and there is lots to like. Humboldt won't be able to run and gun with the Ice Wolves, although SJHL Rookie Of The Year candidate Justin Buzzeo started to make his mark as a true number one forward in the second half. For the Broncos to win, head coach Dean Brockman will need some of his veterans to summon that playoff savvy that we saw last Spring. Spencer Braaten, Cameron Gibson, Nick Keller, and Shawn Hunter will all be asked to do a little more than they did in the regular season. Kirk Belyk is capable of much more than the 6-points in 16-games that he accumulated since a trade from the AJHL.
