The Broncos stayed right with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's best team Friday night but a misplay behind Humboldt's net cost the club their fifth straight loss.

With the loss the Broncos record drops to 7-16-4 and sitting in 10th spot in the SJHL standings.

Coming off a late game collapse Wednesday the Broncos showed some jump early in their fifth game against the Stars this year but a power play goal from Igor Leonenko late in the first period gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the first.

It remained that until the second period when Dustin Gorgi opened a 2-0 Battleford advantage in the latter stages of the frame sending Humboldt to the break down a pair.

They did get what they needed in the third, Brayden Uhrick snapped his first career Broncos goal past Taryn Kotchorek cutting the lead to 2-1 just past the three minute mark of the third period. Daniel Mckitrick was credited with the lone helper. Uhrich was playing just his second game in Humboldt since being acquired from the Calgary Mustangs.

The goal boosted the Broncos' spirits but just as it has gone so many times this season, a mistake by Humboldt and they found themselves back down a pair. Kendal Fransoo stole the puck from behind the Humboldt net as goaltender Billy Gorn was playing it, Fransoo shoveled his second goal into the open net making it 3-1 with with just over 12 minutes remaining.

Leonenko would bury his second of the night to make it 4-1 before Tristan Hermanson picked up his first career goal capping the scoring 4-2. Logan Schatz and Connor Swystun earned points on the 18 year-old Swift Current product's marker.

Kotchorek would hold the fort making 19/21 saves, Gorn, making his second start for the Broncos stopped 25/29 in the loss.

Each team had four power plays, the Stars scored on one of theirs, Humboldt was 0/4.

Next up for the Broncos is Saturday night in Weyburn where they face the Red Wings for the first time this season. Catch the action on KMK Sales Broncos' hockey on 107.5 Bolt FM beginning at 7:15, face-off is 7:30.

Elsewhere Friday in the league, Melville blanked Yorkton 4-0, Notre Dame edged Flin Flon 4-3 and Estevan nipped the Hawks in Nipawin 5-4.