RBC Cup Opens

Press Release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Humboldt Broncos continue to roll at the RBC Cup.

Scott Schroeder scored shorthanded with 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock as the Broncos, who won the national title 12 months ago in Cornwall, Ont., scored an unlikely 2-1 win over the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday night in the 2009 tournament’s opening game.

With Victoria enjoying a late man advantage, Schroeder took advantage of a miscue in the neutral zone, picked up a loose puck and slid it around Grizzlies netminder Anthony Grieco for the game-winner.

The Broncos trailed the tournament hosts 1-0 entering the third period before fashioning a comeback.

Spencer Braaten got Humboldt on the board just 1:48 into the final frame, poking home a loose puck after a shot from the neutral zone hit the glass behind the Victoria net and ricocheted off the leg of Grieco, tying the game and setting up Schroeder’s heroics.

Captain Brian Nugent had the only goal for the Grizzlies, opening the scoring late in the second period on a long 5-on-3. He took the puck at the face-off dot and rifled a shot over the shoulder of Humboldt goaltender Mathieu LaRochelle for a 1-0 lead.

The Broncos will enjoy an off day on Sunday, while the Grizzlies face the Kingston Voyageurs in the late game (7 p.m. PT).

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)