The Nipawin Hawks are now in must-win territory after falling 4-2 to Humboldt Wednesday in SJHL playoff action at the Centennial Arena. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Backs to the Wall

Third period falters push Hawks to brink

Mar 23, 2023 | 11:54 AM

The Nipawin Hawks were 20 minutes away from evening their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoff series with the Humboldt Broncos Wednesday, but a furious Humboldt comeback now has Nipawin on the brink of elimination after a 4-2 loss, and are behind three games to one in the series.

Looking to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece, the Hawks took command of game four at the Centennial Arena getting goals from Alex Johnson and Reid McKay in the first and second periods that allowed Nipawin a 2-0 advantage going to the third period.

The Broncos scored four times in the third to complete the comeback and Humboldt now leads three games to one. Hawks head coach Tad Kozun said his team expected a strong push by Humboldt in the third and his team faltered with too many mistakes.

“We knew they were going to come, we knew they were going to have a push. We need to be able to weather that,” Kozun said on the Nipawin Rona Hawks Hockey postgame show. “A couple really bad turnovers, they end up in the back of the net. Those kill you.”

Nipawin netminder Damon Cunningham made 30 saves in the loss after making 40 stops in Tuesday’s win. Broncos’ Benjamin Motew made 23 saves for his second victory of the series.

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The Hawks will now regroup and head to Humboldt Friday with the goal of returning to Nipawin for game six on Sunday. Kozun said his team will bring their best effort in hopes of extending the series.

“We’re not going to quit, obviously this is tough to take right now, but tomorrow is another day. We will get back to work and be ready to go for Friday,” Kozun concluded.

Face-off is 7:30 p.m. at the Elgar Petersen Arena. The pregame show will begin at 7:15 p.m. on 750 Beach Radio.