(Clark Stork for northeastNOW).

By Clark Stork for northeastNOW

Hawks Home Opening Win

Girod’s late heroics secure Hawks home opener win over Mustangs

Nov 14, 2020 | 10:28 AM

The Nipawin Hawks have drawn first blood in their season series with their archrivals, the Melfort Mustangs.

Brody Girod’s first goal of the season with one minute remaining Friday, Nov. 14 at Centennial Arena broke a 1-1 deadlock and gave Nipawin the 2-1 victory. Burke Simpson assisted on the game-winning goal and opened the scoring with his first of the season in the second period. The 19-year-old Wisconsin product said the team is off to a solid start two games in.

“It’s been great, the team is really starting to click,” Simpson said after the game. “You could see it a lot more in the second and third period of this game and I think once we really click, we’re really going to be a threat.”

The Hawks were coming off a 7-3 road win over the La Ronge Ice Wolves Nov. 6. Simpson said it’s positive to be able to win games whether the offense is highly successful, or the team needs to squeak a win out as they did in the home opener.

“It’s definitely great, it’s great to see guys battling at the end. Now we know we have it in our lineup which is awesome. Michael (Makarenko) had a big block at the end, same with Jeremy (Rainville). The guys love to see it,” Simpson said.

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Simpson scored 12 goals a year ago in his rookie Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season. He was set to join a club in the North American Hockey League, but his American club wasn’t icing a team this year due to the pandemic. He’s started the season red hot with four goals and an assist. Simpson said everything has gone well since his return to Canada.

“It’s been good, I don’t even know how to describe it. A lot of It is my linemates doing a lot for me, so I’ve gotten lucky with a few goals. I think with the team outworking everyone it’s easier for us to pick up points as a team,” he said.

Makarenko picked up his fourth assist in the win, Zach Falck and Josh Lester also chipped in with assists. Gabe Odowichuk scored the Melfort goal.

Ross Hawryluk made 16 saves for his second victory of the year. Joel Favreau stopped 20 shots in the loss.

Nipawin was 1 for 5 on the powerplay, the Mustangs scored their lone goal on the man advantage, they had seven chances overall.

The same two teams will meet again Saturday, this time in Melfort. Simpson said the Hawks will be prepared for another tough test.

“It’s the same mindset, we expect them to be better after losing tonight so we have to play that much better tomorrow,” he concluded.

The game can be heard on Saskatchewan’s new Beach Radio and www.beachradiosk.ca beginning with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m., puck drop is 7:30 p.m.

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Melfort-News-DL@jpbg.ca