Hawks complete season sweep of Millionaires

Johnson said the team needs to make some improvements but he’s happy with the way the team is playing on the cusp of a return to the postseason.

“We have some things to clean up obviously going into playoffs. We’re still fighting for a spot and seeding but I think if we keep rolling like this we’ll be in a good spot,” the 20-year-old Calgary product told northeastNOW after the game.

Johnson’s linemates Alex Ochitwa and Braxton Buckberger added a goal and an assist each. Johnson also had an assist to push his total to 54 points on the year, eighth in the SJHL scoring race. The third-year Hawk centreman was quick to credit players down the lineup after the win.

“Fin [Finley Radloff] had a great night tonight, I thought he played great, F.X. [Bedard] was lights out on draws tonight, those guys stepping up really helps us big time,” Johnson said.

Radloff scored the insurance goal late in the third for the 17-year-old Nipawin product’s fourth goal of his rookie season. Buckberger capped the scoring with an empty net goal with Ethan Rau on the bench for an extra attacker late in the game.

Ochitwa made the game 2-0 early in the second with his 17^th goal of the campaign.

The Hawks are now on the brink of clinching a playoff spot and could do so without even playing. If the Notre Dame Hounds lose to the Estevan Bruins on Thursday, the Hawks will clinch a postseason berth.

Nipawin is now six points up on the Weyburn Red Wings for seventh place. Johnson said he can feel the anticipation ahead of his first playoff experience in junior.

“I am super excited to see what the ‘Cage’ will be like,” he added. “I hope we have a good long run. I have a lot of confidence in this group. I am excited to see.”

The Hawks are just two points back of Estevan for sixth place, and Nipawin has four games remaining. All four are against teams above them in the standings including three more on the road starting Friday in Flin Flon.

Johnson said picking up a win at the Whitney Forum or in North Battleford against the North Stars would help the group going forward.

“For sure, those are a couple of tough buildings to play in coming up here so we have to prove it to the league that we’re here for the long run,” Johnson concluded.

Jackson Fellner rebounded with a strong start making 32 saves in the win, and Rau stopped 26 Nipawin shots in the loss.

Friday’s game against the Bombers will be on 750 Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m., face-off is 7:30 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork

by Clark Stork

Hawks complete season sweep of Millionaires

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