The Hawks handed Melville another loss in SJHL play Friday. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Cashing In

Hawks get back in win column, in Flin Flon Saturday

Nov 1, 2025 | 11:24 AM

Nipawin has another win over Melville after the Hawks edged the Millionaires 3-2 in Friday Saskatchewan Junior Hocky League (SJHL) action.

On Sept. 30 the Hawks beat Melville by the same score on the road, Nipawin’s ninth win overall came at the Centennial Arena.

After a goalless first period, Brady Seabrook and Konnor Watson each scored in the second period putting Nipawin up 2-0. Melville cut the lead in half late in the period. The Hawks started the third period on the powerplay with a one goal lead, rookie forward Sean Shiels tucked in a rebound at the side of the net with a tick left on the man advantage for the game winning goal.

“I thought this was a team effort tonight,” Head Coach Tad Kozun said after the win. “The biggest thing for us I thought we played well defensively. We didn’t give up a tonne.”

Colten Scott made 25 saves in the win, his fourth of his rookie SJHL season. Seabrook’s goal was his first of the year, Watson’s 10^th leads the team, and Shiels now has a pair of goals. Kozun said his group was resilient throughout the game.

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“We kept bouncing back, you get up a couple, they get one. We never wavered from that; it shows the maturity of this group. We didn’t panic, we didn’t do anything crazy, we stuck to our gameplan. Really proud of the way they battled tonight,” Kozun said.

The powerplay has struggled for Nipawin. Over a five game stretch, that included four losses the Hawks scored two goals and gave up a pair of shorthanded markers during 26 powerplays. Friday the Hawks had three chances scoring the third period winner.

“We challenged them at the intermission, and I thought it was better,” Kozun explained. “There was only one second left [on the powerplay] but that’s because we were able to sustain pressure and obviously, we get a big goal. It was the difference tonight and that’s a big win for us.”

Next up for Nipawin is the first of four trips to Flin Flon to take on the Bombers. The Hawks have struggled in northern Manitoba in recent years. Kozun said his group will soak in the Melville win and begin to focus on Flin Flon.

“We’ve played the Bombers pretty good so far. It’s a tough trip to go up there, we know what the Whitney Forum is all about. We are going to enjoy this one tonight and be ready to go tomorrow. It’s not going to be easy,” Kozun concluded.

Faceoff will be 6:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time, the pregame show on 105 CJVR starts at 6:15 p.m.