The Melfort Mustangs were all around the Nipawin Hawks net Saturday in SJHL action at the Northern Lights Palace. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Bucking Back

Hawks head into break after loss in Melfort

Dec 18, 2022 | 2:06 PM

The Melfort Mustangs returned the favour to Nipawin Saturday routing the Hawks 8-3 to end the rivals’ home-and-home series with one victory apiece.

Meeting for the second straight night after the Hawks beat Melfort 6-3 in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) play Friday the Mustangs scored in the first period on home ice and never looked back.

Melfort led 1-0 after the first period and 7-2 after 40 minutes of play thanks to a six goal second frame. Hawks’ Head Coach Tad Kozun said after the game on Beach Radio that the club is ready for a much deserved break.

“We couldn’t give much less of an effort tonight,” he admitted on the postgame show. “We still scored a few goals, but we didn’t help our goalies out, left them out to dry. But you know what? We’re heading into the break and we’re in a playoff spot.”

Nipawin in in seventh place after 32 games, four points clear of both Notre Dame and the Yorkton Terriers. With the goal of getting back to the postseason Kozun said he’s happy with the club’s first half in his first year as the bench boss and general manager.

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“We’re happy with where are at, could it be better? Absolutely it could be better, but you must look where we were last year as well. It’s been a crazy 2022,” he said.

Kozun and Assistant Coach Levi Stuart met with the players upon the return to Nipawin after the game for meetings. Most players headed home on Sunday for the Christmas break. The Hawks will meet the Mustangs again in the new year starting in Melfort on Jan. 6. Kozun said the team will recharge and be ready for the playoff push. Personally, it’s been just over a year since he took the reigns of his hometown team. He said the 2022 year has been eventful but to coach the team he played for is special.

“It’s been a dream come true and I couldn’t be happier with the way we’re going, and I am just super excited to get going in the second half and obviously the future of the Nipawin Hawks,” he concluded.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork