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Reid McKay has now scored in back-to-back games for the Nipawin Hawks. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)
Penalty problems persist

Hawks grounded in loss to Bombers

Nov 16, 2022 | 10:43 AM

The Nipawin Hawks suffered their second straight home loss to one of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s (SJHL) top teams in the Flin Flon Bombers on Tuesday by the score of 4-1.

After the SJHL’s best Battlefords North Stars upended Nipawin 7-3 at home on Saturday, the Hawks stuck with Flin Flon until penalty problems caused them to trail and not be able to catch up to the Bombers. Flin Flon scored on a powerplay in the second and in the third period to assist in the win. Nipawin forward Reid McKay scored the Hawks’ lone goal, the 18-year-old’s second in as many games. He said the club just can’t get a lead despite strong starts against premier opponents.

“The first period was very good, overall. I think it was the penalties that got us down. We just need to be more disciplined,” McKay said.

After Flin Flon made the score 2-0 in the second period, McKay tapped a rebound past Bombers’ goaltender Harmon Laser-Hume for his second career SJHL goal. The rookie winger said he’s starting to find his way in the league.

“I feels like my wheels are rolling now and I am starting to contribute to the team, but I still need to do more,” he said.

The Bombers ended the night with a pair of powerplay goals in a handful of chances, the Hawks scored their goal with a man advantage, Nipawin had four powerplay chances.

Laser-Hume made 32 saves against his former club for the win, Jackson Fellner turned aside 30 Bomber shots in the loss.

Next up for the Hawks is a weekend road trip to Kindersley for back-to-back games with the Klippers on Friday and Saturday. McKay said if the Hawks bring the same effort, they’ve shown in the last two losses the points should come against Kindersley who is near the bottom of the standings.

“If we put in the work these next few days and play like they are one of the top teams and be ready,” he concluded.

Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m. You can hear the games on 750 Beach Radio beginning with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m.

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork