Finley Radloff (11) battles for a rebound in front of Jesse Pye during SJHL action in Warman at the Showcase Wednesday. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW)

By Clark Stork

Offensive Onslaught

Hawks outscore Hounds in offensive outburst

Nov 16, 2023 | 6:00 AM

The Nipawin Hawks outscored the Notre Dame Hounds 7-5 Wednesday afternoon in Warman as the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Showcase continues.

This was the fourth meeting of the year between Nipawin and Notre Dame, the Hawks had taken two of three going into the afternoon affair at the Legends Centre.

The game didn’t start well for the Hawks, Notre Dame scored on their first shot on goal to take the lead just two minutes into the game. Nipawin product Finley Radloff intercepted a clearing attempt while the Hawks were shorthanded a few minutes later and scored his fifth goal of the season, and Nipawin’s seventh goal while down a man.

The Hounds would retake the lead in the first period just past the halfway point, but the Hawks fought back to tie it before the first intermission courtesy of Landon Pappas on the power-play.

Again, the Hounds took the lead early in the second period, but Nipawin tied the game again, this time from Chase Visser who now has five goals this year. Notre Dame’s Cyprus Smith-Davis scored his hat trick goal giving the Hounds another lead, now 4-3.

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The Hawks answered back and took their first lead of the game before the middle period concluded, Artem Hrabovetskyi and Like Chase both reached the scoresheet in the period, Hrabovetsyi had four goals, Chase’s was his first of his junior career.

For the third time in the game Notre Dame scored early in the period, tying the game 5-5 in the opening two minutes of the third period, but a pair of power-play markers late in the period sealed the Hawks’ second straight win. Roman Buckberger scored his sixth goal, and Evan Forrest capped the scoring with his team-leading 11^th tally of the year. Radloff added two assists with his goal. The 18-year-old said the team is trying to build some momentum and get on a roll.

“I think it’s huge for us, it’s a milestone that we need to keep reaching,” he said after the game. “Two games, three games, just keep building off today.”

Damon Cunningham picked up his second straight win in goal for the Hawks in the game played in front of scouts from across North America. Radloff has his sights set on an NCAA career, he said performing well in Warman is important.

“I think I played pretty well. I had lots of help with the other guy’s pressuring. I got lucky with a couple of bounces and happened to squeak one five-hole,” he said.

The win also got the Hawks back to an even 10 wins and 10 losses with a shootout loss. Nipawin is back on the ice at the Showcase at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday against the Yorkton Terriers. Radloff said playing at different times is all part of the Showcase experience.

“It’s a little weird playing at 1:30 p.m., having to wake up early. Tomorrow we will be up at 6 o’clock, that’s something I haven’t done before. I am kind of looking forward to it,” Radloff concluded.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

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