Nipawin fired 35 shots at Humboldt's Jared Picklyk, but the Hawks needed more in a 5-1 loss in game 1 of their SJHL playoff series with the Broncos. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Tough Start

Hawks humbled in Humboldt

Mar 18, 2023 | 9:48 AM

The Nipawin Hawks showed some early jitters Friday leading to a 5-1 loss to the Broncos in Humboldt to open their best-of-seven Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) first round series.

Nipawin veteran Carson Dobson has three games of playoff experience four years ago, but the experience is slim across Nipawin’s roster and it showed early with the Broncos scoring twice in the opening 3:36 and cruising to the win. Head Coach Tad Kozun said his team was evidently nervous, but there is still lots of hockey left.

“Game one, seven game series, it’s the best of seven,” he huffed on the postgame show at the Elgar Petersen Arena. “We will be back tomorrow, and I expect a much better effort out of everybody.”

Spencer Bell opened the scoring two minutes into the game, Lucas Ceccarelli scored shortly after and again late in the first period giving the home team a 3-0 after the first period.

The Hawks took flight in the second period, Alex Johnson scored his first career SJHL playoff goal after three seasons in the league. With the score 3-1, Nipawin controlled the majority of play in the second period but couldn’t climb within a goal. Humboldt rebounded with two goals late in the frame from Cage Newans and Ben Kotylak widening the gap and essentially sealing a game one win.

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“I thought we had a good 15 minutes there and then we give up two goals late, you could see that hurt,” Kozun said.

Jackson Fellner made 38 saves in the loss in his SJHL playoff debut between the pipes. Jared Picklyk made 34 saves for the win in his first SJHL playoff game as well.

Humboldt’s top-ranked power play scored once out of three opportunities, the Hawks had four chances with the man advantage going goalless. Kozun understood the early nerves for his hockey team, but he wasn’t pleased with the efforts of some of his players.

“There was some that were sleeping, flat out sleeping tonight and they have to do more. If they are going to keep doing that it’s going to be a pretty quick exit in the postseason,” Kozun said.

Game 2 is Saturday in Humboldt, face-off is 7:30 p.m., the pregame show of Nipawin Rona Hawks Hockey begins at 7:15 on 750 Beach Radio.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork