The Nipawin Hawks will look for another win over the Melfort Mustangs on Friday on the road. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

New year, same foe

Hawks return to action in Melfort

Jan 6, 2023 | 12:55 PM

The Nipawin Hawks Christmas break is over as the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) team returns to action Friday in Melfort.

The Hawks’ last game was Dec. 17 when the group fell 8-3 to the Mustangs at the Northern Lights Palace. The night prior Nipawin doubled Melfort 6-3. Going into another home-and-home set with their rivals, Nipawin head coach Tad Kozun said the players are excited to be back.

“The guys have come back and are raring and ready to go,” Kozun said after the gameday skate. “It was obviously a long break, but guys are excited to get going. They are happy to be back in town and on the ice.”

Over the break, newly acquired Nipawin netminder Lowen Kenyon left the team. Kozun worked the phones and signed Damon Cunningham from the Sicamous Eagles of the Kootenay Interior Junior Hockey League. The 18-year-old Sturgeon County, Alta. Product sported a 2.38 goals-against-average and a .929 save percentage in 13 games in the Junior B league. Kozun said Cunningham has fit in well since joining the Hawks.

“He’s been awesome since being here. He’s a guy that works hard every day. Puts time and work into practice and off the ice. We have been really happy with the way he’s come in and battled for us this week,” he said.

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Nipawin enters the unofficial second half of the season in seventh place in the SJHL standings, the Mustangs are in sixth place but have a 10-point cushion on the Hawks. So far with a split in their season series Kozun said a better effort on the road is key.

“Last time we went to Melfort, it wasn’t a good showing,” he admitted of the 8-3 defeat. “We’re looking for our effort to be back. We’re in the new year here and our standards and expectations have gone up.”

Faceoff is 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Northern Lights Palace, the game will be broadcasted on 750 Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Saturday’s rematch at the Centennial Arena will begin at 7 p.m., and that game will be aired on CJVR beginning at 6:45 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork

by Clark Stork

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Hawks return to action in Melfort

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