Rookie Hawks' forward Jonah Fournier scored his first career SJHL goal Friday in Estevan. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Turning Point

Hawks late surge falls short in Estevan

Oct 8, 2022 | 1:15 PM

The Nipawin Hawks are back home from a southern road trip that concluded with a 3-2 loss in Estevan against the Bruins on Friday.

Playing their third game in three days Nipawin started well and opened the scoring versus the Bruins, rookie forward Jonah Fournier crashed the Estevan net and was credited with his first career Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) goal. The Bruins tied the score at 1-1 before the first period expired.

Estevan took the lead in the second period and expanded their cushion to 3-1 just past the halfway point of the third frame. Down two goals late the Hawks pressed in the final 10 minutes of regulation, Joel Mabin scored his fourth goal of the year and drew the Hawks within one with just under four minutes to play.

Nipawin continued to pepper Bruins’ netminder Cam Hrdlicka searching for the tying goal but couldn’t beat the Calgary product. The Hawks were called for a too many men on the ice penalty with just two minutes left, Nipawin Head Coach Tad Kozun was furious with the call, took a bench minor penalty and was ejected from the game. In the dying seconds while playing short two men Mabin broke out down the left wing, passed the puck to Hawks’ defenseman Eric Robbie in front and he hit the post, time expired and the Bruins evened the season series with Nipawin at two wins each. Kozun said he was extremely proud of his team’s effort in the loss.

“It was one we never gave up, we continued to push,” he said after the game. “I think our third period was the best of the road trip and it was period number nine.”

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

The road trip started in Notre Dame Wednesday with a 5-2 victory over the Hounds, Thursday Nipawin was clipped 3-2 in a shootout in Weyburn. Despite the loss Friday and only three of a possible six points on the trip Kozun feels the emotion and desperation of the loss could ignite his club.

“When we work like that we can be a real good hockey team, I can just imagine us with fresh legs not. It’s one of those things that can really turn this season for us going forward,” he said.

The Hawks now have Thanksgiving weekend off and return to action on Tuesday in Yorkton against the Terriers. The game will be broadcasted on Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m., face off is 7:30 p.m.

—

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork