By Jeromy Corrigan

Emotional night in Peace River as the Broncos battle the Wolverines

Sep 1, 2018 | 11:46 PM

It was a jam packed day in Peace River Saturday as the community geared up to host the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the weekend.

The club flew into Peace River from Saskatoon on Friday, and was preparing themselves for not only their first pre-season game of the exhibition schedule, but their first game since the tragic accident on April 6th which claimed the lives of 16 Broncos.

A large crowd filed into the Baytex Energy Centre right when the doors opened just after 6:00 p.m. and everyone was in their seat prior to warm-up so that they could give the Broncos the welcome to the ice which they deserved.

Once warm-ups concluded and the ice was clean, the teams returned for the cermonies prior to the pre-season tilt.

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The cermony honoured the Broncos, and the late Darcy Haugan who was one of 16 who died in the accident involving the Broncos bus.

Haugen, who coached Humboldt for three seasons, also lived and coached in Peace River for the Navigators.

His family took part in the ceremonial puck drop, which was then followed by a powerful and emotional rendition of the national anthem.

The game itself was an entertaining affair between the Broncos and Wolverines.

Whitecourt would get the upperhand early in the contest as Kurtis Labant would find the back of the net just two and a half minutes into the opening stanza.

They would carry that lead into the middle frame, but that’s when the Broncos started to get their legs under them.

Humboldt would be rewarded for their pressure as Damon Vandalinde banged one home to even the game at one.

The two clubs would skate into the third period even at one, but two goals in the span of 25 seconds by Whitecourt near the mid point of the third would give the Wolverines a 3-1 edge.

With time running out and a power play on the horizon, the Broncos pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker and a 6 on 4 advantage.

It paid off for Humboldt as they would get to within one with 52 seconds left in the game, making the score 3-2.

However, that was as close as they would come, and Whitecourt added an empty net goal to earn the 4-2 win.

” I thought we competed. ” stated Broncos Head Coach Nathan Oystrick following the game.

” We were a little sloppy in the D zone, but that is something which we haven’t worked on really yet. “

Humboldt was playing their first pre-season game of the year, while Whitecourt was playing their 4th in as many days.

When it comes to the game itself, and what it felt like for the team to be back on the ice, Oystrick said there was mixed emotions.

” I have said it over and over again. I will never forget how I got this job. It was good to be watching hockey again, and seeing the Broncos out there. I think it’s a big step forward. There was definitley some mixed emotions, ” added Oystrick.

” Being here, and being able to play for Darcy and his family. In front of the home crowd. Darcy was a huge part of both (the Broncos and Navigators) organizations. The guys kind of felt that too. It was an emotional night. “

The Broncos will have a chance to bounce back Sunday afternoon when they battle the Grande Prairie Storm in Peace River at 2:30 p.m.