It was a great night of playoff hockey at the Cage on Saturday as the Nipawin Hawks fed off a strong crowd and delivered a big performance on home ice.
The Hawks opened the scoring early in the first period when #18 Jack Janzen (2) found the back of the net, with assists from #12 Mason Eggen (1) and #17 Brendan Olson (2). Later in the frame, Nipawin added to its lead as #12 Mason Eggen (1) scored, with A #7 Eric Hoiness (1) picking up the assist.
Nipawin kept rolling in the second period, getting the lone goal of the frame on the power play. #34 Konnor Watson (1) buried the opportunity, with helpers from #6 Brady Seabrook (1) and #18 Jack Janzen (1), sending the Hawks into the third period with full momentum.
Weyburn got their lone goal early in the final frame with a goal from Pearce. #4 Braedan Jockims (1) sealed things with an empty-net goal, assisted by #11 Finley Radloff (1), before #18 Jack Janzen (3) capped off his two-goal night with another marker from #17 Brendan Olson (3) and #10 Will Whitter (1).
Although the Red Wings held the edge in shots, 41-31, the Hawks got a strong performance from #1 Gage Roberts, who came up big throughout the night. It was an intense playoff battle from start to finish, with the game featuring just under 100 penalty minutes, including 63 minutes assessed to Nipawin and 36 to Weyburn.
With the win, the series now shifts to Weyburn for Game 3 on March 24 at 7 p.m. The Hawks will battle the Red Wings again on March 25 before returning home to the Cage for Game 5 on March 28.
Hawks fans can keep backing the boys on the road by tuning in and cheering them on as the playoff battle continues.
*Photo Credit: Richard Peterson
