The Nipawin Hawks surround goaltender Jackson Fellner after a 6-3 win over Melfort Friday in SJHL play. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Doubling Up

Hawks soar over Mustangs in rivalry matchup

Dec 17, 2022 | 9:32 AM

The Hawks and Mustangs renewed their long-standing rivalry Friday with Nipawin doubling Melfort 6-3 at the Centennial Arena.

Facing off for the first time this Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season the northeast Saskatchewan foes didn’t disappoint the crowd of 555 spectators at the ‘Cage.’ Nipawin’s Hudson Cameron opened the scoring in the first period giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead after the first period.

The Mustangs tied the game in the second period sending the teams to the dressing rooms tied at 1-1 going to the third period.

Zander Stewart, the reigning SJHL defenceman of the month for Nipawin broke the deadlock early in the third period putting the Hawks up 2-1. Alex Ochitwa quickly added his ninth to make the game 3-1. Cameron answered with another giving the home team a 4-1 cushion. Coming into the game looking for his first SJHL goal Cameron ended with a pair.

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“It feels really good, it’s been a while, so it definitely feels really great,” he said after the game.

The Mustangs didn’t go quietly in the first meeting of four straight matchups between the clubs, Dawson Leroux and Hayden Tuba each scored for Melfort cutting the gap to 4-3.

Joel Mabin and Braxton Buckberger both scored into an empty net with Joel Favreau on the bench for an extra attacker capping the scoring for the 6-3 final. Cameron said snapping the team’s three-game losing streak against their rivals is a lot of fun.

“It was a good win, especially after losing a few games,” he said. “We get a ‘W’ and hopefully we can finish off tomorrow with the sweep and go home happy.”

The teams will meet again Saturday at the Northern Lights Palace in Melfort before breaking for Christmas. Cameron said a similar effort in the rematch should amount to success.

“We just have to come out like we did today. We have to play a consistent 60-minute game, we can’t let the foot off the gas, they are a good team and will capitalize on their chances. We just have to keep going,” Cameron said.

Jackson Fellner made 28 saves in the victory against his former team, Favreau made 27 stops in the loss.

Face-off is at 7:30 Saturday at the Palace. The game will be broadcasted on 750 Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork