Broncos return to Humboldt for home playoff opener

It was the usual scene of any arena in Canada this time of year: Game 3 of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL)’s second-round playoff series between the Humboldt Broncos and Estevan Bruins.

Fans at the Elgar Peterson Arena were banging plastic drums in the stands above the visiting Bruins bench. Thunderstix were clapping well in advance of the opening puck drop, and yes, there was plenty of cowbell to go around.

The only difference between this playoff game and the others was the significance of the Broncos playing their first playoff game in Humboldt since the bus crash tragedy in April last year.

Broncos President Jamie Brockman couldn’t understate the incredible accomplishments this year, considering the state of the franchise after the crash.

“There were no expectations coming into the season,” he said. “The fact that we were able to field a team was nothing short of heroic, in a way,” he said.

That was just the start for a team that would come together and compete for a top spot in the standings all season long.

“And now to culminate into a playoff series here and (the teams) are starting to get a little bit of bad blood out there, so you got that playoff vibe,” Brockman said.

“It’s a lot of fun.”

Three players returned to the Broncos team this season as the rest of the team had to be put together from scratch.

The Humboldt Broncos salute the fans after a 6-3 win over the Estevan Bruins on March 18, 2019. (Keenan Sorokan/650 CKOM)

Brothers Leon and Mark Doepker have been season ticket holders at various times in the club’s 49-year history.

They didn’t think they would have a team to cheer on this season.

“We think about it all the time, I mean, if somebody would have told us 11.5 months ago that we’d have a playoff hockey team, probably none of us would have believed it,” Leon said between periods.

Joe Leonew was at the game with family of his own to cheer on the Broncos. He shared in the amazement of the situation.

“Last summer, we didn’t know if we were going to have a team,” Leonew said  “There was so much uncertainty at that time. As the season went on, we just got progressively better and it was so nice to see … So nice to see people in the building again.”

Rick Poncelet had a different fan perspective as he cheered the Broncos on to an early 2-2 tie after the first period.

He’s been a lifelong fan of the Broncos, but his son Reagan is on the team this year, the only Humboldt-born player in the lineup Monday night.

“You kind of overcome (the tragedy), but you’ll never forget the past,” he said.

“You just play hard for yourself and your fellow teammates.”

Humboldt Broncos forward Brayden Camrud takes a faceoff on March 19, 2019. (Keenan Sorokan/650 CKOM)

Leonew doesn’t know how the town will react to the first anniversary of the crash, as the date is less than three weeks away.

Being a competitive team in the playoffs might help.

“I think if we’re still playing, I think that’s going to override the bad things that happened,” he said. “That’s going to help a lot. Just being in the playoffs again, especially if you can get to the next round.”

The Broncos doubled up the Bruins Monday in a 6-3 win, which gives the Broncos a 2-1 lead in the series. Returning player Brayden Camrud notched three assists in the victory.

The landmark game was unceremonious with no national news teams or televised specials. It was as regular as any playoff game on a Monday night in the prairies.

The fans wouldn’t have it any other way and they don’t see a reason for it to stop.

“Put it this way, I think they can beat anybody in the league if they come out and play the way they’re capable,” Mark Doepker said. “They’ve got the talent to do it, they just got to put it together.”