Nipawin seeks a fourth straight win and third victory over their rivals Friday in Melfort. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Rivalry renewed

Red-hot Hawks hit the highway to Melfort

Nov 28, 2025 | 12:40 PM

The Nipawin Hawks will seek their fourth straight win and third win over Melfort Friday at the Northern Lights Palace.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) rivals met on the opening night of the season, and again on Nov. 14 in Nipawin, the Hawks won 4-3 on the road and blanked Melfort 3-0 at home. Heading into the third meeting of the season, Nipawin has won three games in a row scoring 20 goals in the stretch. The Mustangs have lost three games in a row. Nipawin Head Coach Tad Kozun said his team is in the middle of a strong stretch.

“We’ve really found our way in how we want to play. The guys are executing at a high level right now. We just must make sure we continue to do it. We can’t be satisfied with how the last couple weeks has gone. We’ve got to continue to push and do things the right way,” he told northeastNOW.

During a lengthy break in November the Hawks made three moves adding Brendan Olson, Carter Cole, and Hudson Gainer. The Hawks have four wins in five games since the moves. Kozun said the addition of the three has sparked the group.

“Ollie [Olson] is forward of the week, he’s been a great addition and really added to that line with [Eric] Hoiness and [Carter] Anderson. You look at Carter Cole; he’s been a great addition on our fourth line providing energy. Ganier on the backend is doing more than what we thought he could, especially as a 2007-born player. We’re really with the guys and how they gelled into the team,” Kozun said.

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The back-to-back reigning champions are currently sitting outside the playoff picture with plenty of season to go. Melfort has made a trio of trades themselves and look to get back in the win column on home ice. Despite a record under .500, Kozun knows the Mustangs will be ready.

“Melfort has been making some changes lately and looking to get back to their ways they know. We must make sure we are ready to go and have to keep playing the way we have been. We must find a way to elevate even more and be ready to go,” Kozun concluded.

Faceoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Melfort. The pregame show of Nipawin Chrysler Dodge Hawks Hockey on 750 Beach Radio starts at 7:15 p.m.