
Hawks shutout in final home game of season
The Nipawin Hawks were shutout in their final home game of the 2021-22 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Friday against the Melfort Mustangs 3-0.
The blanking was Nipawin’s second straight at home and eighth time this season. Hawks Assistant Coach Dana Dirks said despite the loss he’s happy with how a young Hawks lineup stood up against the veteran-laden Mustangs.
“You could really tell the difference in the size and the strength out there tonight,” Dirks said. “I thought the effort was fine and ultimately we’re coming into the third period down 2-0. We weren’t that disappointed with the effort and result. Yeah, it looks bad at 3-0 but when you are playing as many 16-and 17-year-olds as we are it’s tough for them to be physically ready to go and quick enough to play a veteran group like that.”
In the Hawks lineup was 2005-born forwards Finley Radloff, Eric Hoiness, and defenseman Owen Myhre, who made his debut for his hometown team; 17-year-old Cole Barry also saw action on the blueline. Dirks said the experience the young group is getting will pay off in spades going forward.