The Hawks celebrate Will Whitter's third goal of the SJHL season on Saturday in Weyburn. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Homeward Bound

Hawks conclude southern road trip with loss in Weyburn

Oct 7, 2024 | 11:40 AM

The Nipawin Hawks picked up one win in three games over the weekend on a three-game road trip through southern Saskatchewan.

After picking up their first win of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season Friday in Estevan, Nipawin dropped a 6-2 decision in Weyburn against the Red Wings.

In the finale of the three-day trip that started Thursday in Notre Dame, the Hawks got down early by the score of 2-0 in the first period. Captain Finley Radloff cut the lead to 2-1 with his second goal of the year.

Weyburn widened the lead to 3-1 early in the second period, but Mason Karakochuk got Nipawin back to within one before the middle period concluded.

The Red Wings restored a two goal cushion on an early powerplay in the third. The Hawks pressed to get the game back within a goal and after several chances on the Red Wings net, an odd man rush the other way led to Weyburn’s fifth goal and essentially ended the hopes of a Hawks comeback.

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“I thought we came out OK,” Head Coach and General Manager Tad Kozun said after the game. “Obviously got behind the 8-ball but we battled back, battled back, we get it close, and we were in a good spot going to the third period. In the third we missed on a couple chances, their goalie made a save, they get a couple on missed checks and the game gets out of reach.”

The Hawks still have 25 players on the roster and have been platooning players in and out of the lineup that includes just five returnees and one 2004-born player. Kozun said having the team make this road trip early in the season helps the staff fine tune the roster that needs to be trimmed down.

“When you come down for a three-in-three you find which guys are going to battle through, which guys are going to push through, which guys are going to grind, which guys show you they want to be Nipawin Hawks,” he added.

The Hawks are currently sitting with a win and six losses this season. The team returns to action Tuesday at home against the La Ronge Ice Wolves. Kozun said the team will regroup after an off day Sunday and prepare to host their division rival for the second time this campaign.

“We’ve got to get ready for Tuesday; La Ronge is coming in, they’re playing pretty good hockey right now. We must get back to work, put our heads down, keep pushing forward. The big thing is we learned a lot, some things we need to fix up,” he concluded.

Faceoff on Tuesday is 7 p.m. at the Centennial Arena.