Despite being unable to ice a full lineup due to player illness, the Nipawin Hawks showed plenty of heart Friday night in Melfort, battling hard in a 4–1 loss to the Melfort Mustangs.
The Hawks scored in the opening frame when 34 Konnor Watson (7) found the back of the net with helpers from 12 Jaxen Smyth (7) and ‘A’ 7 Eric Hoiness (17). It would be Nipawin’s lone goal of the night, but the effort never dipped.
Melfort responded with a first-period goal from Cox and added another from Osiowy, giving the Mustangs a 2–1 edge. Both teams were locked in defensively in the second period, with no scoring on either side.
In the third, the Hawks pushed to even the score, but the Mustangs sealed the result with two empty-net goals late from Binner and Patterson.
Between the pipes, rookie netminder 31 Colten Scott delivered a strong performance, keeping the Hawks within striking distance and giving his team every chance to compete.
With several players battling illness, it was a full-team effort from start to finish, and one the Hawks can build on.
Nipawin now turns the page quickly, welcoming the Mustangs to The Cage on Saturday night for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. With hopes that more players are rested and on the mend, the Hawks will be counting on their fans to bring the energy. Fill the Cage and make it loud.
