Nipawin surrounds Gage Roberts following the Hawks 5-3 win over Estevan Friday in SJHL action. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Natural Hat Trick

Radloff’s hat trick leads Hawks to win over Estevan

Dec 7, 2024 | 11:24 AM

Finley Radloff cued the Teddy Bear toss and added another two goals for his first career Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) hat trick in a 5-3 Hawks win over Estevan Friday.

Nipawin’s hometown captain scored his eighth goal of the season in the first period tying the game 1-1 igniting the fans to toss the bears onto the ice that will be donated to a local charity. A staple across junior hockey, Radloff said there wasn’t any bets inside the room as to who would score the goal, but he said scoring the opening goal was exciting.

“There was no inside bets, but we definitely guessed a little bit,” he joked after the game. “I was just happy to get it.”

Radloff scored another powerplay goal before the first period expired giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead after the first frame.

The 19-year-old scored again in the second period pushing Nipawin’s lead to 3-1. Radloff’s hat trick was the first of the season for the Hawks and the first since Alex Bernauer had three last January. Radloff said the crowd was great as the Hawks opened parent-billet weekend with a win in front of a big crowd.

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“It was awesome, the fans were there making noise. It was really big for the boys tonight,” he added.

After Estevan fought back to tie the game 3-3, Nipawin scored another powerplay goal late as Eric Hoiness deflected the game winning goal past Benny Polhill late securing the win. Jack Drake scored into an empty net to cap the scoring. Radloff is now up to 10 goals on the year. He said personally, and team wide the club is feeling more confident.

“I am building my confidence as well as the team,” he said. “We’re just going to keep going down this path and we’re going to have a bright future.”

Overall Nipawin’s 12^th rank powerplay scored three times in seven opportunities compared to Estevan’s one goal on the man advantage in five chances.

The Hawks host Estevan again Saturday looking for their third straight win over the Bruins in the season series.

Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.