Ben Hiltz broke a 2-2 tie early in the third period, as the Weyburn Red Wings edged the Humboldt Broncos 3-2 on Friday night.

Hiltz's goal came just 37 seconds into the final frame, but the Broncos weren't able to slip the tying goal past Red Wings goaltender Liam McCloskey in the final 19-plus minutes.

Head Coach Darcy Haugan was pleased with his team's game in the loss.

"I thought we played extremely hard and played fast. We did a lot of good things, and just weren't rewarded."

Haugan says that their numbers confirmed that notion, but added that the Red Wings had the edge where it is most important.

"I looked at the zone time and it was probably a difference of six minutes in our favour. Shots, shot attempts, we outnumbered Weyburn, but where it counted was on the scoreboard."

After Tyran Brown made it 1-0 for Weyburn late in the first period, Humboldt's Jaxon Joseph tied the game 43 seconds into the second period.

The two sides would exchange goals quickly once again midway through the period, with Brown scoring his second goal for the Red Wings.

Forty-five seconds later, Broncos call-up Zach McIntyre buried his first career SJHL goal to even the game at two goals apiece.

Haugan says that the 16-year-old is one to watch.

"That was nice to see him get his first goal. We have big plans for Zach. He's been up with us a couple of times, and every time he comes up he becomes more familiar with our systems."

It was the Rhein, Saskatchewan, product's third game of the season with Humboldt. The Broncos obtained McIntyre in the 2016 SJHL Draft, selecting him in the 2nd round, 14th overall.