The Hawks celebrate Carter Anderson's (13) 14th goal of the SJHL season during Sunday's game versus Battleford. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Working overtime

Hawks earn point in overtime loss at jampacked Cage

Jan 6, 2025 | 12:27 PM

A rare Sunday afternoon Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) game at the ‘Cage’ in Nipawin brought out almost 700 fans to witness an exciting 4-3 overtime Hawks loss.

Battleford and Nipawin faced off for the fourth and final time this season and second straight day after the North Stars doubled the Hawks 4-2 Saturday at Access Communications Centre. The early bus ride for Battleford to make the 3 p.m. start time wasn’t a concern as the visitors jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first six minutes.

Nipawin responded in the second frame getting a goal from Carter Anderson and another from Will Whitter knotted the game at 2-2 going to the third. The North Stars retook the lead in the third period before Eric Hoiness intercepted a pass in the slot and beat Justen Maric tying the game and forcing overtime. Braden Nienaber won the game for Battleford in extra time. Hoiness said he was proud of the way to team fought despite the sluggish opening.

“We battled back after the tough first,” the 19-year-old said after the game. “I don’t know, it seems like we go to overtime every time we play here.”

The game was Nipawin’s sixth to go to overtime or a shootout out of 17 overall.

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Starts have been an issue for the Hawks this season forcing the team to comeback in games. Hoiness said starting on time needs to be rectified.

“We’ve got to be better in the first, we’ve got to be ready. We’re going to figure that out and come back next game,” Hoiness said.

Gage Roberts made 26 stops in goal on route to the overtime defeat.

Nipawin will make their final trip to Flin Flon this season on Wednesday. The Hawks have struggled against the Bombers of late, Hoiness said the group will try their best to snap a long string of losses at the Whitney Forum.

“That would be awesome to get over that,” Hoiness said. “Just find ourselves and get a streak going.”

Faceoff is slated for 7:30 p.m., the pregame show of Nipawin Chrysler Dodge Hawks Hockey begins at 7:15 p.m.