The Hawks suffered their second straight one goal loss on opening weekend of the 2024-25 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season with a 3-2 defeat against La Ronge Saturday at the Centennial Arena.
Despite being heavily outshot Friday in Flin Flon Nipawin fell 4-3, Saturday versus the Ice Wolves, the home team controlled the game for the majority, outshot the La Ronge 38-26 but two critical shorthanded goals proved too much for Nipawin to overcome.
After Will Whitter opened the scoring 2:30 into the game with his first career SJHL goal, the Ice Wolves tied the game 1-1 before the first was out. The Wolves first goal was shorthanded in the first, the 2-1 tally early in the second also came during a Hawks’ powerplay.
La Ronge took a 3-1 lead early in the third period, Nipawin defenseman Brady Seabrook got the game to within one with his first career goal as well, but the Hawks couldn’t find the equalizer and dropped to 0-2 on the season.
Nipawin was 0/4 on the powerplay and has given up three shorthanded goals in two games.
Head Coach and General Manager Tad Kozun is pleased with the compete level on the weekend, but special teams need to be addressed heading into Friday’s game at home to Kindersley and Saturday on the road in North Battleford.
