The Nipawin Hawks will face the Humboldt Broncos for the first time since last year's SJHL playoffs. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Rivalry renewed

Hawks hope to tame Broncos in Friday matchup

Oct 13, 2023 | 1:00 PM

The Nipawin Hawks will have the Humboldt Broncos in town Friday for their first meeting since the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoffs last season.

Nipawin is coming off a 3-1 win in North Battleford last Saturday night. Their first on the road versus the North Stars since 2020. The win came a night after the Hawks were blanked by the North Stars at the ‘Cage.’ With just 19 goals scored and the Hawks hovering around the .500 mark on the year Head Coach Tad Kozun expects more from the offence going into this weekend’s showdown with the unbeaten Broncos.

“I haven’t liked our offensive zone play a tonne where we are turning pucks over and not supporting each other like we can. We must get put our work boots on and create more offense than we have so far,” Kozun admitted.

The Hawks have scored 19 goals in six games so far this year, eighth among SJHL teams this season. The 15 goals the team has given up is the third least in the league and the Hawks’ penalty killing is the SJHL’s best at 93 per cent efficiency. Kozun said after an opening weekend where the Hawks allowed seven goals, they have only given up eight since.

“It’s a testament to these guys because we keep telling them when you take care of your own end then you are going to get to play offence more and you will get rewarded for that,” he said.

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Offense hasn’t been an issue for the Broncos to start the year, especially on Wednesday when Humboldt put up 10 against the Weyburn Red Wings at the Elgar Petersen Arena. Kozun said his group will need to be ready for back-to-back games this weekend.

“Watching their game Wednesday, they obviously had a good one against Weyburn,” Kozun stated. “We’ve got to make sure we are ready tonight to slow them down and take care of business.”

Faceoff is at 7 p.m. at the Centennial Arena, the teams will meet on Saturday in Humboldt. That game will be broadcast on 750 Beach Radio beginning at 6:45 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork