Mark Lafleur scored his first career SJHL goal for the Nipawin Hawks Tuesday in a 5-2 win over the Yorkton Terriers. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Staying Alive

Hawks keep playoff hopes alive with win in Yorkton

Mar 6, 2024 | 2:32 PM

The Nipawin Hawks Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season was saved for a least another day Tuesday thanks to a 5-2 win in Yorkton.

The victory kept Nipawin within striking distance of both Estevan and Kindersley, but the task is still tricky with just four games remaining. Rookie forward Mark LaFleur said after the game the team played a solid game and deserved the two points.

“All the boys bought in tonight, and we worked hard to get the win and keep our hopes alive for the playoffs,” he said after the game.

After a goalless first period the offence opened up in the second frame. Artem Hrabovetskyi batted home his 13^th goal of the season, Jacob Michleson added his fourth of the year, Even Forrest notched the game winning goal in the second as well assisted by LaFleur on a nifty passing play that included Hrabovetskyi. Lafleur and Finley Radloff capped the scoring in the third period to secure the win. Lafleur said finding consistency this season has been a challenge and cost the team in the standings.

“We just need to somehow find a way to keep it consistent the rest of the year to keep our playoff hopes alive. If we played like that all year there is no chance we wouldn’t be in playoffs right now,” he added.

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The 20-year-old Calgary born freshman’s goal in the third off a won faceoff by Chase Visser was his first in the SJHL in his 35^th game. He admitted after that getting on the scoresheet might not happen this year, but he’s ecstatic to get his first.

“Yeah, we were getting down to the last couple games down the stretch here. I had to get it going and make sure I got one. I figured it out and I got it,” Lafleur said.

The Hawks will scoreboard watch on Wednesday, if Estevan beats the Broncos in Humboldt the Bruins will clinch and leave the Kindersley Klippers as the only team Nipawin can catch.

Nipawin is in Melfort on Friday.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

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