The Hawks and Hounds will meet in Nipawin for the first time since October Sunday afternoon. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Sunday afternoon puck

Hawks host Hounds in Sunday matinee

Feb 16, 2025 | 10:22 AM

The Nipawin Hawks will welcome the Notre Dame Hounds to the Centennial Arena on Sunday for a Family Day long weekend matinee matchup.

Meeting for the third time this Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season and first time since October, the Hawks will look to tame the Hounds who have had plenty of bite against the Hawks this year. Notre Dame has a 5-0 win on home ice and a 7-3 victory at the Centennial Arena. Hawks Head Coach Tad Kozun said his group needs to be better against the Hounds.

“Both times we played them the results weren’t good,” Kozun admitted. “That was also a long time ago and our roster, and theirs has been significantly altered, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to work. The Hounds outworked us, and the results showed.”

Nipawin is looking to cap their week with a with and four points, they have a road win in La Ronge on Tuesday and a tight 1-0 loss to Weyburn this week, the Hounds suffered back-to-back losses in Flin Flon and will seek to salvage their northern road trip. Kozun said his group can’t overlook the Hounds despite their schedule and travel.

“This is the SJHL, every team travels, were the Hounds up north for the last two, yes, but that doesn’t make this an easy out. If we aren’t ready to go and do play the way we have been of late that’s brought us success we won’t be on the right end today, so it has to start from puck drop,” Kozun added.

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The Hawks have several family activities planned for the game, including a postgame skate with the team. With the afternoon faceoff and long weekend, Kozun expects the ‘Cage’ to be rocking and wants his group to soak up the atmosphere and realize, despite the team’s record this year the club means a lot to the community and that will be showcased today.

“I was lucky enough to play here, in my hometown,” Kozun said. “Days like today will make you so proud to be a Hawk and part of this 40-year-old hockey club. We want to put on a show for the fans who have stuck with us this season. The guys are ready, and it should be an exciting afternoon.”

Faceoff is 3 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com