Nipawin's Cole Fox scored his first career SJHL goal Saturday in a 4-3 loss to Melfort. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Foxy's FIrst

Sluggish start halts Hawks in rematch with Mustangs

Jan 8, 2023 | 11:20 AM

The Nipawin Hawks tried to claw their way from behind again Saturday against the Melfort Mustangs but couldn’t comeback and lost 4-3 at the Centennial Arena.

Meeting for the fourth straight time, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) rivals each shared a home ice win before Christmas then Nipawin stunned the Mustangs with two third period goals Friday to steal the win in Melfort. The Mustangs started strong in Friday night’s affair as well as Saturday, but on the road Melfort hung on for the win.

Dawson Leroux and Riley Ashe gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes of play. Nipawin’s Alex Ochitwa cut the lead to 2-1 in the second, but Hayden Tuba’s powerplay goal in the second period restored Melfort’s two goal lead.

Rookie Hawk defenceman Cole Fox scored his first career SJHL goal seconds later making the score 3-2 through two periods. The teams traded goals in the third period, Melfort’s Ryan Duguay scored the game winning goal, Carson Dobson brough the Hawks close late but Nipawin couldn’t find the equalizer.

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“It’s good to get the first game under our belt for sure, but I mean our starts must be better than they have been the last two games. If we get our starts undergoing, we can win a lot of games,” Fox said.

Fox, 18, is in his first year with Nipawin after being recruited from Innisfail. Alta. Picked up his first career goal during a two-on-zero rush in the second period with Joel Mabin. Fox joked he couldn’t miss that one and was nervous, but he said it’s nice to finally get one.

“It’s definitely a great feeling for sure,” he said. “The parents were here to see it too, so that’s even better.”

Nipawin finished the game with 32 shots on goal, James Venne made 29 stops in the victory for the Mustangs. Jackson Fellner made 26 stops in the loss for the Hawks.

Special teams was a difference for Melfort in the game as well, the Mustangs scored twice in three powerplay chances, the Hawks were just one of five with the man-advantage.

The Hawks are in La Ronge Wednesday for a showdown with the Ice Wolves. Fox said the team will regroup and get set for their division foes mid-week.

“I think we just need to refocus, get a couple good practices in and focus on La Ronge and get another big two points hopefully,” Fox concluded.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork