(Clark Stork/northeastNOW staff)

By Clark Stork for northeastNOW

Time to regroup

Hawks grounded by Ice Wolves, suffer first loss of season

Nov 18, 2020 | 11:02 AM

The Nipawin Hawks suffered their first loss of the 2020-21 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season. Tuesday night the La Ronge Ice Wolves scored five unanswered goals on route to a 6-2 win at the Centennial Arena.

Nipawin defenceman Jack Lenchyshyn said nothing went well for them and they need to regroup.

“I think it’s a matter of playing a full 60 minutes,” the 20-year-old said after the game. “We know what we have to do. We will come back tomorrow for practice, work our butts off, and get ready for the weekend.”

La Ronge opened the scoring off the stick of Holden Knights before the Hawks responded with a pair of goals in the first period. Both Jaxsen Wiebe and Jérémy Rainville scored their second goals of the year giving Nipawin a 2-1 lead after the first frame.

The Hawks started the second period strong with several chances, but the Ice Wolves got goals from Spencer Kennedy and Beau Larson putting the Wolves in front, a lead they never relinquished.

Twist on a classic

Regina board game designer puts new spin on crokinole

5h ago

Spring in Saskatchewan

Calm, dry weather expected across much of Saskatchewan over Easter weekend

5h ago

Tribute projects

Progress on Humboldt Broncos memorial continues eight years after tragic crash

5h ago

Nolan Allan picked up the eventual game-winning goal near the halfway point of the third period, Larson and Kennedy each added their second goals of the game to cap the La Ronge scoring. Michael Makarenko scored his first goal of the year on a late powerplay for the Hawks.

Nipawin was shorthanded eight times on the night giving up a pair of powerplay goals against. The game was almost the opposite of the season opener between the two clubs on Nov. 6, a 7-3 Nipawin win. Lenchyshyn said the team needs to be more disciplined.

“There was a couple tough calls that put us down, but it’s up to us to battle back. We have to be more disciplined and I think things will go our way next time,” Lenchyshyn said.

The lone bright spot was Nipawin’s powerplay that scored three times on six opportunities.

Goaltender Ross Hawryluk suffered his first loss of the season allowing five goals on 37 shots, Kennedy’s second goal was into an empty net with Hawryluk pulled for an extra attacker. Xavier Cannon picked up the win for La Ronge stopping 30 shots.

The Hawks will travel to Kindersley Friday to meet the Klippers. They will host Kindersley the following night. Lenchyshyn said the team will look to rebound over the next couple days.

“The clock resets at 12 a.m. so we will be ready for practice tomorrow. We will refocus and get set kick some butt against Kindersley on Friday,” he said.

Friday’s game will be on Saskatchewan’s new Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m.

–

@melfort-news@jpbg.ca