(Photo Credit: Richard Peterson Photography)
The Nipawin Hawks delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season, taking down the Flin Flon Bombers in a critical UPL division matchup. Goaltender #1 Gage Roberts was the story of the night, turning aside 45 of 47 shots in a phenomenal outing that anchored a full-team effort.
The Hawks got their first goal in the second period when Captain #11 Finley Radloff (7) buried the teddy bear toss goal, assisted by #10 Will Whitter (9) and #12 Jaxen Smyth (6). Nipawin kept rolling with a goal from #20 Rayder Wallington (2), set up by #18 Jack Janzen (9) and Assistant Captain #7 Eric Hoiness (13). Later in the second, Hoiness added one of his own(7) off feeds from ‘A’ #13 Carter Anderson (9) and #18 Jack Janzen (10).
Nipawin kept the pressure on in the third. #3 Hudson Gainer (2) struck early with assists from #18 Jack Janzen (11) and ‘A’ #7 Eric Hoiness (14). #8 Clayton Nesbitt (4) rounded out the scoring, finishing a play started by #10 Will Whitter (10).
Flin Flon’s goals came from Morozov in the first and Seitz in the second, but Roberts slammed the door the rest of the way. Final shots were 47–23 in favor of the Bombers, highlighting just how strong Roberts and the Hawks’ defensive structure were from start to finish.
This massive division win pushes Nipawin to first place overall, extending the Hawks’ run to a six-game win streak. The two teams meet again tomorrow in Flin Flon for an immediate rematch.
