The Hawks and North Stars faced off in the lone SJHL game on Tuesday. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Heartbreaker for the Hawks

Third period collapse grounds Hawks in Battleford

Jan 7, 2026 | 12:34 PM

The Nipawin Hawks were in complete control of Tuesday’s lone Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) game, but a lacklustre third period resulted in a 6-5 loss to the Battlefords North Stars.

Nipawin has struggled with the North Stars over the last half decade winning just three games. The Hawks did win at the Access Communications Centre in November this season and looked poised to claim another victory, but the North Stars fought back from three goals down to steal the win.

Ashton Tait scored two first period goals and Braeden Jockims also scored as the Hawks took a 3-1 lead into the dressing room after the first period. Eric Hoiness and Carter Anderson added to the Hawks total in the second, Nipawin had a 5-3 lead going to the final frame. The North Stars scored three times including the game winner short handed with a dozen seconds to play. Head Coach Tad Kozun was not impressed by his club’s effort in the third.

“They wanted it more,” Kozun said on the post game show on 750 Beach Radio. “They came out, played hard, they came at us, and came at us, and came at us, and we just didn’t want to answer the bell. That just can’t happen.”

After the Hawks opened the scoring, the North Stars tied the game just six seconds later. Despite getting the lead back and leading by three with under 25 minutes left in regulation. Kozun said his team failed to follow up the positive points of the game.

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“Every time we scored a goal our response wasn’t great, that’s something we need to address in the next couple days getting ready for Friday,” he said.

The Hawks travel to Humboldt for their next action. You can hear the game on 750 Beach Radio starting with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m., puck drop is 7:30 p.m.

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