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Nipawin's Reese Malkewich celebrates his first career SJHL goal Wednesday in Warman at the SJHL Showcase. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)
Hawks Hockey

Hawks beat Bruins in Showcase finale

Sep 29, 2022 | 9:47 AM

The Nipawin Hawks are back in the win column after extinguishing Estevan 3-1 in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Showcase finale Wednesday afternoon.

The meeting with the Estevan Bruins was the third in the Hawks’ last four games. They lost the first contest of the year between the clubs, but the Hawks have two straight wins over the reigning SJHL champions. Veteran forward Carson Dobson said getting a season series lead against one of the perennial SJHL powerhouses is promising.

“It’s nice to get back in the win column and beat Estevan,” Dobson said after the game. “We’ve played them a bunch of times already so it’s nice to get the upper hand on them.”

Nipawin’s Reese Malkewich opened the scoring for the Hawks in the first period, that was the 20-year-old defenseman’s first goal in the SJHL. Dobson picked up his first of the year in the second period, which turned out to be the game-winning goal. The Plenty, Sask. product said he’s relieved to get his first goal of the campaign.

“It’s a bit of a weight off my shoulders for sure, it’s been a bit of a skid. I am happy to get one and happier to get the win,” he said.

Captain Maguire Ratzlaff scored his fifth goal of the season adding to Nipawin’s lead in the second, Estevan’s Cody Davis broke the shutout bid for Nolan McDowell of the Hawks, the rookie netminder made 32 saves in the win.

The Hawks return home to the Centennial Arena Friday against the Notre Dame Hounds looking to improve on their record of three wins and three losses. The club hasn’t won or lost back-to-back games yet this year. Dobson said the team wants to build a streak and gain momentum going into October.

“We are really to string some wins together and get on an upwards trajectory and make a run,” he said.

Face off is 7 p.m.

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork