The Nipawin Hawks faced off against the North Stars Saturday in SJHL action. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Final Frame Faulters

Late games struggles continue for Hawks, fall in Battlefords

Sep 29, 2024 | 9:28 AM

The Nipawin Hawks gave up four unanswered goals in Friday’s loss to Kindersley in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) play and a day later, the Battlefords North Stars scored five in a row en route to a 6-1 ousting.

On the road against the North Stars, the Hawks fell behind 1-0 in the first period but climbed back in the second period when Van Taylor scored on a rebound, marking the 18-year-old’s first in the SJHL.

Prince Albert product Van Taylor scored his first career SJHL goal Saturday against the Battlefords North Stars. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

Opening the third period tied 1-1, the visitors were seeking a better final frame to hopefully collect their first win of the young season, but the Battlefords scored early and often beating a defenceless Corben Schnurr five times in the period.

“In the third period, I don’t even know where we went,” huffed head coach and general manager Tad Kozun post game. “It’s one of those games that we have to learn from.”

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The Hawks are still seeking a victory this season, and Kozun was optimistic going into Saturday’s game after Friday’s effort against the Klippers.

“You look at the effort from last night and you look at it tonight, it was a completely different team. We had one line going tonight, Konnor Watson, Mark Lafleur, and Van Taylor,” Kozun added.

In the four losses to start the season, Saturdays was the only lopsided result. After two one-goal setbacks on opening weekend, Friday’s two-goal margin included an empty net tally. Kozun said they have been close in their games due to effort, and that lacked in North Battleford for the first time this campaign.

“We have to buckle down and find a way,” he admitted. “The thing is if your brain isn’t working, your feet aren’t working, but what you can do is work harder and I didn’t think we did that tonight.”

Schnurr made 33 saves in the loss.

Next up for the Hawks is a three-game road trip to southern Saskatchewan starting with Notre Dame on Oct. 3.

The game will be the first Nipawin Chrysler Dodge Hawks Hockey on 750 Beach Radio broadcast beginning at 7:15 p.m. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. in Wilcox.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com