The Hawks celebrate Gage Roberts' second career SJHL shutout Tuesday versus the Flin Flon Bombers. (Clark Stork/NortheastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Dominant showing

Hawks diffuse Bombers in picture perfect performance

Feb 5, 2025 | 9:34 AM

The Nipawin Hawks blanked Flin Flon 3-0 Tuesday at the ‘Cage’ snapping a losing streak against the Bombers dating back to September of 2022.

Riding a 17-game winless skid to Flin Flon while the Bombers have been almost unbeatable since November, Nipawin had nothing to lose going into the seventh meeting of the year between the two Sherwood Division rivals.

After a goalless first period controlled by Nipawin, the Hawks resilience paid off in the second period. Carter Anderson opened the scoring with his team-leading 17th goal of the season early in the second period, while Mason Karakochuk added his 12th goal of the campaign before the second break.

The Hawks killed a penalty late the middle frame, keeping the two-goal lead intact. Eric Hoiness deflected Conor Ryan’s point shot on a Nipawin powerplay in the third to push the lead to 3-0. The second-year Nipawin forward has nine goals on the year.

Nipawin and Roberts sealed the win down the stretch allowing just 25 shots on goal on route to Roberts’ second Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) shutout. The 18-year-old Fort McMurray, Alta. product was quick to credit his teammates after the win.

Warmth is here

Old Man Winter's grip on Saskatchewan loosens as warmth arrives

13h ago

First time champion

Schmidt wins Canadian Challenge main 10-dog race

Feb 20, 2025

Gallery of Trailblazers

Gallery of Trailblazers celebrates Dr. Shadd, many other Black pioneers

Feb 20, 2025

“I felt like it went really well, the team did everything they were supposed to. Cleared second opportunities, they kept them to the outside, and I thank them for that,” Roberts said.

Nipawin hasn’t beaten Flin Flon since Sept. 17, 2022. Roberts has been with the Hawks for 22 games and said the win was important for veterans like Vito Biondo (first win in three seasons versus Flin Flon) and captain Finley Radloff who was in the lineup as an affiliate player the last time Nipawin beat the Bombers on the road in February of 2022.

“I think it feels really good for them, it feels good for me too,” Roberts said. “I want to beat this team as much as they do. I hate seeing that however many win to no losses against us so, this meant a lot to the whole group.”

Roberts has five SJHL wins, two have been shutouts. He will lead the team into the weekend home-and-home series against Melfort starting with Friday’s road matchup at the Northern Lights Palace.

Nipawin beat the reigning champs 4-1 in their last meeting. Roberts admitted the two-game set is a tough test, but the club is looking forward to the challenge.

“Yup, we just have to try and do the same thing.”

Faceoff Friday is 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Lights Palace. 750 Beach Radio will broadcast the game starting with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m.

—

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com