The Hawks celebrate an overtime win in La Ronge Tuesday. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Hard Fought Win

Whitter’s winner secures Hawks victory over La Ronge

Feb 12, 2025 | 11:39 AM

It took roughly a dozen years of hockey, but Will Whitter finally has his first overtime goal after Nipawin edged La Ronge 4-3 in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action Tuesday.

The Prince Albert product scored his 11^th goal of the season earning the Hawks their second straight win at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. The rookie forward said despite likely not going to the post season but winning is still important for the team.

“Yeah, it is,” he said after the game. “We just want to finish the season with as many wins as possible and built momentum going into next year and always improve.”

Mason Karakochuk led the way offensively scoring his 13^th and 14^th goals of the year, the 18-year-old had one last year in his rookie SJHL season. He also set up Eric Hoiness’ 10^th goal that forced overtime allowing Whitter a chance to end the game. In the final minute of period four, Noah Heinrich found Whitter open behind the defence springing the 17-year-old on a breakaway. He beat Graham Brown with a low shot on his blocker side.

“It was just a perfect pass, right on the tape, through a guy. That’s really my only move, good thing it worked I didn’t have anything planned,” Whitter joked about the game winner.

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Nik Trakakis made his third start for Nipawin in goal making 32 stops for his first career SJHL win a day before his 21^st birthday.

The Hawks lost leading goal scorer Carter Anderson early in the game to a major penalty, captain Finley Radloff left the game in the second due to an injury. Nipawin also had 16-year-old Davey Fisher dressed as an affiliate player. Down bodies, Whitter said wins like that build strong hockey clubs.

“Those are hard wins when some of our top guys go out obviously and we are short on the bench, but we need those. Everyone contributed today and it was good to see. We played really well,” he added.

The victory was Nipawin’s 10^th of the season and brought the Hawks into a tie for 11^th in the SJHL standings.

The Hawks are home to Weyburn Friday.

by Clark Stork

Whitter’s winner secures Hawks victory over La Ronge

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