2008 RBC Cup

BRONCOS CONTINUE WINNING WAYS, ROUT COLTS IN RBC CUP OPENER

Make it eight in a row for the Humboldt Broncos.

The Broncos, who won the final three games of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League final against the Kindersley Klippers and swept the Portage Terriers in four straight in the ANAVET Cup, ran their winning streak to eight games with a convincing 7-0 win over the host Cornwall Colts in the opening game of the 2008 RBC Cup on Saturday night.

Laurent Benjamin had a hat trick and added two assists for the Broncos, who won their third straight game at the National Junior A Championship, dating back to their 2003 national title run.

The Colts were playing their first game in almost seven weeks, their Central Junior A Hockey League season coming to a close on March 18th with a 4-3 overtime loss to Smiths Falls in Game 5 of their opening round series.

While the Colts hung with Humboldt early – Edward Gale’s goal just shy of the four-minute mark was the lone goal of the opening period – the rust showed in the second, as Benjamin, with a pair, Jordan Schindel and Brady Wacker ran the Broncos’ lead to 5-0 after 40 minutes.

Schindel’s goal, a sharp angle shot off the helmet of Justin Roethlingshoefer spelled the end of the night for the Cornwall netminder, who allowed four goals in just over 34 minutes of work.

The Broncos scored twice with the powerplay and once shorthanded as they handed the Colts the worst loss by an RBC Cup host team since the Summerside Western Capitals fell 8-2 to Weyburn in 1997.

Taylor Nelson made 21 saves for the shutout, including 11 in the final frame when the Colts had an 11-4 advantage. The Broncos outshot Cornwall 27-21 overall.

Gale, who finished with two goals and two assists, was named Humboldt’s player of the game, while Cornwall captain Darcy Findlay picked up the honour for the Colts.

Cornwall returns to the ice at the Civic Complex on Sunday night when they take on the Oakville Blades at 7:00 p.m. ET, while the Broncos will enjoy an off day of Sunday before meeting the Camrose Kodiaks on Monday at 2:00 p.m. ET.