Bryden Kiesman (9) leads the celebration after scoring against Flin Flon Saturday in SJHL action. Kiesman was named the first SJHL MVP of the week earlier on Tuesday. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

The champs are here

Hawks host defending champs, Kiesman named SJHL MVP of the week

Sep 20, 2022 | 1:54 PM

The Nipawin Hawks are back in action Tuesday when the reigning Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) champion Estevan Bruins visit the Centennial Arena.

The Hawks opened the SJHL regular season Friday with a 7-4 loss in La Ronge before rebounding at home with a 5-2 victory over Flin Flon on Saturday. Head Coach Tad Kozun said the staff saw both positive and negative nuisances from the club.

“We were able to see some things we really liked and saw some things we didn’t like so much,” Kozun said. “The first game in La Ronge wasn’t great. We battled back but gave up a tough goal then it got away from us. I didn’t think the effort was fully there.”

Going into the Hawks home opener Kozun demanded better from his club, specifically in the defensive zone. He said the players showed up ready for opening night.

“The boys obviously showed up and played well and worked hard. They got rewarded for their hard work and it was great to see,” he said.

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Despite some sloppy play in the Nipawin zone Friday in La Ronge the team still managed to generate nine goals in two games. After struggling to put offence last season, Kozun said it’s great to see goals going in.

“Anytime you can score like that opening weekend it gives the guys confidence and shows guys are ready to make the next step. We’re just bearing down,” Kozun said.

Bryden Kiesman, 20, led the way offensively on the weekend scoring twice and adding three assists. The Winnipeg product was named the SJHL’s MVP of the week Tuesday morning when the league released their first award winners of the year. Braxton Buckberger has three goals and Maguire Ratzlaff has a pair. Kozun said getting scoring all the way down the lineup will be key for the Hawks going forward.

“We’re kind of a three-headed monster right now with the lines we can roll on any given night. I think our depth all the way down our forwards is huge, even the guys not playing. Obviously, guys making the next step is great to see, we just have to make sure we continue seeing it,” he added.

The Bruins will be in Nipawin for two days playing the Hawks on back-to-back nights at ‘The Cage.’ Kozun said the schedule is a little quirky but he’s happy to see the reigning champions come to town early.

“It’s always a good test coming up against the reigning champs and this is a great test to see where we’re at,” he concluded.

Face off on both Tuesday and Wednesday is at 7 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork