Aiden Bruce became the ninth Nipawin Hawk to core his first career SJHL goal Friday in Melfort. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Battling Back

Hawks fight back to claw point out of Melfort

Nov 16, 2024 | 1:36 PM

Down 2-0 nearing the later stage of the final period Friday in Melfort the Hawks scratched back scoring three times to take the lead before falling 4-3 in a shootout to the Mustangs.

The second meeting of the season between the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) rivals kicked off parent-billet weekend for the reigning champions, but a resilient Nipawin group managed to earn a point in the loss.

After Reilley Kotai and Zac Somers gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead through 40 minutes, the Hawks got goals from Mason Karakochuk, Aiden Bruce, and Vito Biondo all beat Kristain Coombs giving Nipawin a 3-2 lead.

The Mustangs pulled Coombs for an extra attacker tying the game in the final minute, forcing overtime and eventually the shootout. Head Coach Tad Kozun was quick to praise his club’s effort on the postgame show.

“I am really proud of these guys, the way they battled tonight,” he said. “Now they know when we work like that, we will win hockey games. This is a step forward for sure.”

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Zayden Sadlemeyer was the lone shooter to score out of eight players in the shootout giving Melfort the victory, the loss was Nipawin’s second in extra time and 14^th overall. Kozun said the feeling in the room was different than previous results.

“That was a complete team effort, they can’t hang their heads after this one tonight, guys logged a lot of minutes for us tonight,” he said.

Nipawin finished the game with four defensemen and lost forward Mark Lafleur to injury in the second period. Noah Heinrich was hit from behind forcing the 19-year-old to leave the game in his Hawks debut.

Nathan Claydon stopped 41 shots and three of four shooters in the shootout, Coombs made 28 saves and stopped all four Hawks in the shootout.

Nipawin is in Humboldt to meet the Broncos for the first time this year, faceoff is 7 p.m. at the Elgar Petersen Arena. The pregame show of Nipawin Chrysler Dodge Hawks Hockey on 750 Beach Radio starts at 6:45 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com