The Melfort Mustangs celebrate after defeating the Nipawin Hawks on Saturday.

By Clark Stork

Perfect no more

Mustangs hand Hawks first loss

Oct 3, 2021 | 9:07 AM

The Nipawin Hawks have suffered their first loss of the season following a 4-2 decision in Melfort Saturday.

The defeat puts an end to a four-game winning streak to start the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season. Veteran defenseman Cole Beamin said the team knew a loss was coming at some point, and the team needs to learn from it.

“The effort was there tonight,” Beamin told northeastNOW after the game. “We just didn’t get the results.”

Melfort opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game, Curtis Hammond notched his fourth of the season to make the game 1-0. Nipawin’s Phil Laberge tied the game a few minutes later with his second of the season, but the lead was short-lived. Trenton Curtis gave the Mustangs the lead back with his first career SJHL goal near the end of the first period.

Nipawin’s Dawson Brace drew the game even again snapping his first career goal past Joel Favreau in the Melfort goal. Seth McCulloch added his fourth tally of the year late in the second period, the goal was the game-winner. Melfort capped the scoring in the third when Daman Byers scored his second goal in as many games on the weekend.

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Nipawin lost captain Mkyllan Couture early in the game due to injury, and Liam Bell was ejected for a check from behind halfway through the game forcing the Hawks to play with four defensemen. Beamin said their leader will be back and the team needs to power through some adversity.

“Mkyllan has had some tough luck this year, but he will bounce back. As for the four defencemen, we must battle through that and have a character second half,” he said.

Chase Hamm suffered his first loss of the season in the Nipawin net making 20 saves. Favreau won his third straight start making 21 stops.

The Hawks will head to the SJHL Showcase in Warman on Monday and faceoff with the Notre Dame Hounds at 1:30 p.m. The three-day event features all 12 teams scattering a pair of games for each club to highlight potential players for college or major junior hockey opportunities. Beamin is in his final year and eligible for USports after playing in the Western Hockey League. He said the chance to play in front of scouts is exciting, but his focus is still winning.

“The games come first, the team comes first, I am just going to try and win every game,” he concluded.

The Hawks second game of the Showcase is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday versus Weyburn.