Adrien Fox is the eighth Nipawin Hawk to score their first career SJHL goals this season. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Number 9

Hounds make shots count in win over Hawks

Oct 28, 2024 | 5:26 AM

The Hawks dominated the shot clock Friday against the Notre Dame Hounds, but Nipawin suffered a 7-3 loss in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action.

The team honoured Greg Classen and retired the Aylsham, Sask. product’s #9 jersey ahead of the game, but the visitors from Wilcox spoiled the party. Notre Dame took a 2-0 lead in the first, scored four more times in the second going up 6-0. The Hounds scored their seventh of the night before Nipawin got goals from Adrien Fox, his first in the SJHL, Mason Karakochuk, and Konnor Watson, who also reached the scoresheet. Conor Ryan chipped in two assists. Head Coach Tad Kozun said the team took too long to find their game and couldn’t comeback.

“Our first two periods weren’t great, obviously the start wasn’t good,” he said after the game. “It’s a big night here honouring Greg, it’s not the effort we wanted but in the third period we played the way I know we can.”

In total, Nipawin fired 46 shots on Spencer Borsos beating the netminder three times. Tyson Endall started for the Hawks; he was pulled after giving up four goals on 13 shots. Gage Roberts came on in relief, he made 11 saves and gave up three goals. Kozun added that the team showed glimpses of progress for the young roster.

“If we can play like that in the third, we’re going to have a lot of success here but it has to be an all the time thing, we can’t just choose when we want to, it has to be an all the time thing,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Classen’s #9 will never be warn again by anyone in the Hawks organization. Almost 1,000 people attended the game and witnessed the pregame ceremony. Kozun said despite Nipawin’s 2-10-1 record the community’s support is unmatched.

“It’s nice to see the support we’re getting. Obviously we are not getting the results, but I know it’s going to come, and I thought we took a good step in the third period, but it has to be right from the start,” he concluded.

Nipawin’s next action is Tuesday when they host the Melville Millionaires.

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