The Nipawin Hawks had a strong weekend, picking up two victories to continue their push toward the playoffs.
On Friday night the Hawks were on the road in Melfort to take on the Mustangs. Melfort opened the scoring in the first period when Hamilton found the back of the net for the Mustangs’ lone goal of the game. Late in the frame, #7 A Eric Hoiness (19) responded for Nipawin with assists from #20 Rayder Wallington (24) and #16 A Mason Karakochuk (31) to even the game at one.
The second period saw no scoring from either side. In the third, the Hawks pulled ahead when #23 Carter Cole (3) scored with help from #7 A Eric Hoiness (39) and #16 A Mason Karakochuk (32). #4 Braedan Jockims (18) sealed the win with an unassisted empty-net goal late in the game. Shots on goal slightly favoured Melfort 30–29.
The Hawks returned home Sunday afternoon to the Cage for a matinee matchup against Warman. Nipawin struck first as #23 Carter Cole (4) opened the scoring with assists from #29 Tiernan Ryan (9) and #29 Noah Derouin (6). #10 Will Whitter (16) followed with another Hawks goal, assisted by #13 A Carter Anderson (14) and #2 Noah Heinrich (11).
In the second period, #16 A Mason Karakochuk (22) extended the lead with assists from #28 Sean Shiels (15) and #7 A Eric Hoiness (40). The Hawks added two more goals in the game, with #18 Jack Janzen (14) scoring from #10 Will Whitter (26) and #13 A Carter Anderson (15), and #4 Braedan Jockims (19) adding the fifth goal with assists from #34 Konnor Watson (16) and #11 C Finley Radloff (18).
Shots on goal favoured Nipawin 44–24. The win marked the fifth shutout of the season for #1 Gage Roberts.
The weekend showed a strong team effort for the Hawks, who currently sit fourth overall in the league standings with two regulation games remaining before the playoffs begin.
The Hawks are back on the road Tuesday, March 10 in Flin Flon for a key UPL division matchup before returning home to the Cage on March 13 to host the Melfort Mustangs.
