The Nipawin Hawks celebrate Liam McInnis' first goal with his new team. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Dynamic Debut

McInnis magic in Hawks’ debut; Nipawin downs Weyburn 6-1

Dec 7, 2023 | 10:00 AM

The Nipawin Hawks were firing on all cylinders Wednesday with their newly acquired defenseman providing the spark in a 6-1 win over Weyburn in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) play.

Liam McInnis made his Nipawin debut after coming over in a trade La Ronge and added a goal and three assists in the Hawks’ win over the Red Wings. The 20-year-old Regina, Sask. product was quick to credit his new teammates for his dominating debut in black and gold.

“I was pretty happy just trying to get my legs back under me after a little bit of time off,” he explained after the game. “A lot of credit to my teammates, they forechecking hard, playing well in the defensive zone, they just made it really easy for me tonight.”

McInnis now has six goals and 17 points in 14 games this season. Braxton Buckberger added a pair of goals, who now has 11 goals on the year. Luke Chase and Cole Fox each added their second goals of the season as well, Braeden Jockims capped the scoring with his fifth goal of the season.

Nipawin controlled the game in all facets including scoring three power-play goals and killing all seven Weyburn chances with the mad advantage. The Hawks also scored a pair of shorthanded goals in the win. McInnis said he is happy to support the club with high expectations.

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“It’s awesome, the boys played a really hard 60 minutes and it showed. A lot of fun to be on this team,” he said.

Damon Cunningham made 27 saves in the Hawks’ 14^th win of the season. The team now has four games left before the Christmas break, beginning with the Estevan Bruins twice this weekend at the Centennial Arena. The Hawks will meet Melfort in a home-and-home series to close the first half of the year. With two convincing wins in their last two starts, McInnis said the team wants to make a statement going into 2024.

“We have enough talent in that room, we know we can win these next four games. It’s just a matter of our effort and how focused we are,” he concluded.

Friday and Saturday’s games against the Bruins will begin at 7 p.m. at the ‘Cage.’

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @ClarkStork