The Nipawin Hawks celebrate Maguire Ratzlaff's 15th goal of the SJHL season Friday in a win over La Ronge. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

All-around performance

Hawks soar over Ice Wolves in convincing win

Nov 5, 2022 | 11:03 AM

The Nipawin Hawks scored twice in the first period Friday night opening a two goal cushion over the La Ronge Ice Wolves that they never relinquished while cruising to a 5-1 victory at the ‘Cage.’

Hosting La Ronge for the first time this Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season and taking on their northern Saskatchewan rivals for just the second time this season the Hawks started strong on home ice.

Zander Stewart scored his first goal of the season early in the first period, Alex Ochitwa followed up halfway through the period and Nipawin never trailed in the game. Overall, Stewart said the game was the clubs most complete performance of the season.

“Yeah, for sure, it was definitely a good performance for us, from the backend out,” Stewart told northeastNOW after the game. “From Fells [Jackson Fellner, goaltender] out to the defence to the forwards, it was an all-around great game.”

La Ronge responded in the second period, Ryley Morgan tucked a powerplay goal past Fellner to make the score 2-1. The Ice Wolves wouldn’t get any closer, Nipawin Captain Maguire Ratzlaff scored his first of two goals in the game in the second period to restore the Hawks two-goal lead. Ochitwa added is second of the night to make the score 4-1 going to the third period.

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Ratzlaff added another in the third, the 19-year-old Abbotsford, B.C. product leads the SJHL with 16 goals on the year. Stewart was happy to finally get his first to go alongside his 12 assists, but he was happier with the win.

“It feels good, hopefully I can keep it going Saturday night, but it’s a good win for the boys. It’s definitely good to get the game started like that,” he said.

Fellner made 32 stops for his second straight win since being acquired from the Melfort Mustangs. Dawson Smith took the loss for La Ronge allowing five goals on 42 Nipawin shots.

Carson Dobson chipped in with three assists for Nipawin in the win. The Hawks travel to Melville on Saturday for a meeting with the Millionaires. Stewart said the weekend capper is a big game as well.

“We’re ready, we’ve had a great week of practice like I said. Hopefully we can take this momentum and bring it into Melville,” Stewart concluded.

Face-off is set for 7 p.m. at Horizon Credit Union Centre. The pregame show of Rona Nipawin Hawks Hockey begins at 6:45 p.m. on 750 Beach Radio.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork