Eric Hoiness was unable to capitalize on this second period breakaway in SJHL action between Nipawin and Melville Friday at the Centennial Arena. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Friday Night Lights

Hawks snag point in shootout loss to Millionaires

Jan 20, 2024 | 9:50 AM

The Nipawin Hawks had a 2-0 lead Friday in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action but couldn’t spread the game any further allowing the Millionaires to win their eighth game with a third period comeback.

Melville clipped the Hawks 4-3 in a shootout at the Centennial Arena handing the Hawks their third straight loss, the Millionaires have won five in a row.

Nipawin started fast in the fourth meeting of the year between the clubs, Vito Biondo scored his second goal of the year in the first period and hometown Nipawin product Finley Radloff added his team-leading 16^th in the first frame as well, but the Hawks couldn’t put the game away, something that came back to bite them according to Assistant Coach Levi Stuart.

“At the end of the day we did a lot of good things,” Stuart said after the game. “We got back to playing Hawks hockey and felt like we controlled the game for the most part. We had our chances; we just have to find a way to bury a couple more.”

Melville was able to cut the Hawks lead in half early in the second period, Nipawin looked to restore their two-goal lead shortly after, but Braxton Buckberger’s 16^th goal of the season was taken off the board due to goaltender interference.

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Melville tied the game 2-2 early in the third, Nipawin restored the lead courtesy of Evan Forrest’s 13^th goal of the season, but the visitors tied the game again, forcing overtime and eventually a shootout that Flynn Maxcy won for Melville after he forced overtime with the tying goal. Nipawin has now slipped to 16-19-0-3 on the season and has lost six of their last eight games. Stuart feels the club is trying to be too perfect at times.

“You can give their goalie some credit, he made some big saves, in the shootout maybe gripping our sticks a little tight for sure. We definitely had our chances, had some good looks, put some into his glove, yeah, maybe gripping them a little too tight,” he added.

Each team had 37 shots on goals, Damon Cunningham suffered the loss making 34 stops, and William Dyke picked up the win.

The Hawks are in Kinistino Saturday to take on the La Ronge Ice Wolves as the teams will play as part of the Hockey Day in Saskatchewan festivities.

Needing a win over the Ice Wolves, Stuart said being part of the weeklong event in the community is exciting for the club.

“It’s going to be a cool experience for the boys and the staff, and everybody involved, hopefully it’s extra fun with two points as well,” he said.

Faceoff is 7:30 p.m. at the Kinistino Sports Complex, the game will be broadcast on 750 Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

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