The Hawks and Mustangs met for the second time this SJHL season at the Northern Lights Palace on Friday. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Comeback Kids

Hawks claw from behind and steal two points in Melfort

Dec 1, 2025 | 9:35 AM

Nipawin has trailed going to the third period in eight Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) games this season, the Hawks have won twice, both in Melfort after Friday’s dramatic 2-1 win.

The Mustangs never trailed in the game; Austin Shepherd deflected a Tristan Ziola shot past Gage Roberts giving Melfort a 1-0 lead halfway through the first period.

Roberts and Mustangs’ starter Kason Kobelka went save for save over the next 50 minutes, both netminders made spectacular saves and assisted in excellent penalty killing efforts. The teams combined for just one powerplay goal in a dozen opportunities.

Nipawin captain Finley Radloff had two breakaways denied by Kobelka in the game, but the 20-year-old four-year Hawk forward tied the game with a wrist shot from the bottom left corner with Roberts on the Nipawin bench for the extra attacker.

During three-on-three overtime Nipawin centreman Eric Hoiness poked the puck past a pinching Mustang defender springing the 20-year-old on a breakaway that slipped by Kobelka giving the Hawks their third win of the season over the reigning champions. Hoiness the team will take the two points in any fashion after a pair of dominant home ice wins.

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“Yup, a win is a win no matter what the score,” the overtime hero said after the game.

The Hawks have won four games in a row and 15 games overall. Nipawin didn’t win that many games until Feb. 28 last season. Hoiness said winning in a variety of ways including six of 10 on the road.

“Finding ways to win, that’s what makes the best teams,” Hoiness added. “The boys stuck together tonight and came through with the win.”

The reigning Nipawin most valuable player from a year ago has six goals on the season. None more important than Friday’s game capper at the Northern Lights Palace. He joked he almost thought himself out of ending the contest.

“That was too much time, I probably thought of five different moves on the way to the net,” he said.

The Hawks have the weekend off. Nipawin travels to Air Ronge to meet the Ice Wolves on Tuesday. The game will be on 750 Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m. Faceoff is 7:30 p.m.