Brady Seabrook (left) and Will Whitter each scored their first career SJHL goals Saturday at the Centennial Arena. (Clark Stork/NENow Staff)

By Clark Stork

Home Opener

Hawks come up short in home opener

Sep 22, 2024 | 4:32 PM

The Hawks were looking to even their early season win-loss record, but Saturday Nipawin was edged 3-2 by the La Ronge Ice Wolves in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action.

Back home at the Centennial Arena after an opening night loss in Flin Flon Friday, the Hawks got the home crowd out of their seats when 17-year-old Will Whitter scored his first career SJHL goal giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead early.

The Ice Wolves tied the game late in the first while shorthanded, then scored again in the second while Nipawin was on another powerplay. The third shorthanded goal the Hawks have given up in just two games this season.

“That just can’t happen, it’s something we’re obviously going to have to clean up, but we’ve got to get back to making sure we take care of the little details, and our habits are good,” Head Coach Tad Kozun said after Saturday’s game. “We’re going to be ok.”

La Ronge took a 3-1 lead early in the third period on a powerplay, the Hawks clawed back and got the game back to a one goal deficit courtesy Brady Seabrook’s first career SJHL goal, but another penalty late squashed any chance of a Hawks comeback. Kozun said being outscored by the other team while having a man advantage is unacceptable.

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“We had some good chances on the powerplay, but when teams are outscoring you on the penalty kill when you are on the powerplay, that can’t happen,” he miffed.

Overall, the Hawks have one powerplay goal in seven chances, the team has killed off eight of nine infractions they have incurred through the first two games of the campaign.

The Hawks will host Kindersley on Friday and travel to North Battleford on Saturday. Kozun said the team will refocus and prepare for those games over the next week.

“The good part of playing two games after a week of practice is we can break down the video and show some things that we need to clean up and start working on that stuff when we hit the ice Monday again. Obviously looking forward to four more days of practice and then be ready to go Friday night when Kindersley comes to town,” he concluded.

Faceoff is 7 p.m. at the Centennial Arena, Saturday’s road matchup begins at 7:30 p.m.

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