The Midget AA Humboldt Broncos are still standing at the top of the mountain in the Centre Four Hockey League.

For the second straight season, the Broncos claimed the league title, defeating the Saskatoon Sabercats 4-1 at Rod Hamm Arena Saturday night to sweep their best-of-three series 2-0.

After a scoreless opening frame, the Broncos got on the board early in the second period when Colton Halvorson ripped a slapshot past Sabercats goaltender Tye Morin to make it 1-0.

Thomas Bollefer would give the visitors a 2-0 cushion shortly thereafter following a double minor spearing penalty to Saskatoon. 

The Sabercats were able to respond before the period was out, but just like the first game of the series, one goal would be all they could sneak by Humboldt goalie Jacob Wassermann.

Halvorson put the game away for good midway through the final period after he buried home a rebound directly off the crossbar after Luke Puto rang the iron.

Bollefer would add his second goal on the vacant Saskatoon net with just over two minutes to go.

Following a second consecutive league title, head coach of the Broncos, Chris Hamilton, says the credit goes directly to the players.

"This is all about the guys in the room. It started last year, and it carried over to this year," he stated. "I'm just a piece to a very good looking puzzle right now."

Last season, the Broncos were in the midst of two playoff series - one for the league, and one for provincials. This time around, the league champion gets to represent the CFHL, allowing Humboldt to focus on one team at a time.

Hamilton says that will help them moving forward.

"It gives us time to regroup and figure out a gameplan to try and do something special. I have been around this sport for 27 years and I have never won a provincial title, and there is a lot of guys in this room the same way, so hopefully we can come through and have one heck of a night at the EPA."

It is expected that the series will begin within the week, but that is yet to be confirmed. Hamilton added that every player has had the same goal in mind since the beginning of the season.

"At the start of the year I made them answer a questionnaire, and it was what they wanted to accomplish this year. Tonight we succeeded in half of their goal."

Morgan Gobeil, a defenseman, as well as the team's captain says that if they play their way, the team is confident in their ability to bring home a provincial title.

"If we put everything into it, we can take these guys and hopefully add that provincial championship to it. Not many guys have had that chance, so I hope we can do it this year."

He added that having the team play together as one, and take the guidance of their veterans has been a major factor in repeating as league champions.

"I think it comes to the guys buying in to everything, listening to what the leaders have to say and what we know and how we got here last year."

Goaltender Jacob Wassermann, who, despite a less than busy evening in the shots department, has been a nice addition to keeping pucks out of the net.

He credits the guys in front of him for making it easier to stop the pucks.

"When you only have to worry about a few shots a game, especially when they're all coming from the outside or through little traffic, I wouldn't be where I am, and our team is not here right now without those guys laying their bodies on the line to block those shots."

After allowing just a pair of goals in the series, the first-year Midget describes what he was feeling as the final seconds ran off.

"It was crazy, I got no words. I started jumping when I saw that clock wind down to zero. I can't imagine what the rest of the guys are feeling that have won this back to back."

In his last season of Bantam hockey one year ago, Wassermann missed the final three months due to an injury, forcing him to miss the playoffs.

That motivated him to have the best off-season he has ever had.

"This summer I worked harder than I ever worked and I had tons of people help me along the way. Family, coaches, and I couldn't be where I am right now without all of them."

The provincial final will be a two-game total goal series, with the Broncos heading on the road for the first game before playing their season finale at home.


You can hear more from Hamilton, Gobeil and Wassermann below.

All photos courtesy of Marla Possberg.