Spiritwood's Konnor Watson will make his Nipawin Hawks debut Friday against Melfort. (Submitted photo/Nipawin Hawks)

By Clark Stork

Rivalry renewed

Hawks host Mustangs to begin home-and-home series

Dec 16, 2022 | 12:57 PM

The Nipawin Hawks will meet their arch nemesis the Melfort Mustangs back-to-back nights before the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) begins its Christmas break.

The Sherwood Division foes haven’t met yet this season but beginning Friday in Nipawin the clubs will face off four times in a row, twice this weekend and two more times Jan. 6-7. Hawks head coach Tad Kozun said no bulletin board material is needed for his team to step up in the first matchup.

“All the old guys know what it’s like playing Melfort, so the young guys are going to get their first taste of the rivalry which is exciting. We’re looking forward to getting back on the ice with them,” Kozun said after the Hawks’ gameday skate.

As the enticement of heading home for the holidays elevates, Kozun said it’s a difficult task to keep his players’ heads in the game. With Nipawin riding a three-game losing streak and the Mustangs having an 11-game point streak intact, Kozun said his club needs to be prepared.

“You have to be ready to go and you can’t take anytime off,” he said. “If you don’t take care of business before the Christmas break when you get back you’re that much further behind the eight-ball. You must play these two games like it’s the end of the year. You must be ready, must bring your ‘A’ game.”

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The Mustangs come into the weekend set sitting in fifth in the SJHL standings, and Nipawin is seventh overall. The teams will face off six times this season.

Hawks draft pick Konnor Watson will make his Nipawin debut wearing number 17. He will line up with rookies Francois-Xavier Bedard and Hudson Cameron. Kozun said he’s excited to see the Spiritwood, Sask. product in action.

“We’re looking forward to having him in the lineup and just giving him a taste of what Nipawin is all about and what the future is like. Especially doing it at home too so the home fans can see what he is all about. We’re excited to see what he can bring,” Kozun added.

Face-off Friday is 7 p.m. from the Centennial Arena. The rematch will start at 7:30 p.m. from Melfort’s Northern Lights Palace on Saturday.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork