The Nipawin Hawks welcomed the Melfort Mustangs to the Cage for the second game of a home-and-home weekend and delivered a complete 5–0 victory.
Nipawin opened the scoring in the first period when 18 Jack Janzen (7) found the back of the net, assisted by 17 Brendan Olson (11).
In the second period, ‘A’ 7 Eric Hoiness (8) added a shorthanded goal, with helpers from 11 Captain Finley Radloff (11).
The Hawks pulled away in the third period with three goals. 17 Brendan Olson (7) scored on the power play, assisted by 34 Konnor Watson (8) and 3 Hudson Gainer (4). Later in the frame, 34 Konnor Watson (18) added another power-play marker with assists from 4 Braeden Jockims (3) and 3 Hudson Gainer (5). The scoring was capped off by 14 Mason Lowther (2), assisted by 18 Jack Janzen (12) and 23 Carter Cole (9).
Shots on goal favored Melfort 43–26, but 1 Gage Roberts turned aside all 43 shots for the shutout. The Hawks earned the win despite skating short-handed for a second straight night, with several players battling illness.
Nipawin returns to action at the Cage on January 11 at 3:00 PM against the Humboldt Broncos, followed by a Skate with the Hawks post-game.
The organization also extends best wishes to Brendan Olson as he represents the SJHL at the Viking Cup over the Christmas break.
