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The Hawks and Ice Wolves will faceoff for the third time this SJHL season Friday in La Ronge. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)
Need a win

Hawks face Ice Wolves on the road

Oct 18, 2024 | 2:00 PM

The Nipawin Hawks are in La Ronge Friday, taking on the Ice Wolves for their matchup of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

Nipawin is looking to reorganize after a 9-1 rout at the hands of Weyburn on Wednesday at home, while La Ronge hasn’t played since being shutout 5-0 against Melville at home on Saturday.

The teams have met twice already this year, La Ronge beat Nipawin 3-2 in the Hawks’ home opener back in September, and the Ice Wolves edged Nipawin 4-3 in overtime on Oct. 8.

Nipawin Head Coach Tad Kozun said the Hawks need to get back in the win column.

“We got back to work yesterday and made some changes we felt were necessary. We kind of threw Wednesday’s game out and the best thing is, we get to play again right away. We’re right back on the ice tonight, hit the road to La Ronge and show how resilient we are,” Kozun said.

Going into the game Nipawin has scored 20 goals, the lowest in the SJHL. Plus they have given up 48 goals while the Notre Dame Hounds have allowed 50, the only other team giving up more. Kozun said finding some offence from his roster is crucial after 10 games and just two goals per outing.

“We must find a way to score goals, and it starts by going to the hard areas,” he said. “I feel like we have been playing a little perimeter here lately and maybe some guys are gripping the sticks a little too tight with the young group, but once you get to those hard areas you get rewarded.”

Faceoff in La Ronge is set for 7:30 p.m., the pregame show of Nipawin Chrysler Dodge Hawks Hockey on 750 Beach Radio begins at 7:15 p.m.

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com