The Hawks and Broncos will meet in the first round of the SJHL playoffs starting Friday in Humboldt. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Playoff Hockey

Hawks and Humboldt hit the ice for game one

Mar 17, 2023 | 12:43 PM

The Nipawin Hawks are in Humboldt Friday to take on the Broncos for the first game of the SJHL first round playoff series.

Nipawin will play its first postseason game since March 11, 2020 when the Hawks’ first round series against the Battlefords North Stars was shut down due to COVID-19.

Nipawin head coach Tad Kozun said all along the goal of the team was to make the playoffs in his rookie year behind the bench. He said the time for talking is over and the club is raring to go.

“We’ve had a really good week of practice, we’re excited, I think the guys are pretty excited. I like where our focus was all week. We’re ready to go, it’s an exciting time of year. There’s not much left to be said, let’s drop the puck and get this going,” Kozun said after the team’s gameday skate at the Centennial Arena.

The Hawks finished seventh in the SJHL standings, up from its 11^th place standing a year ago. For the second consecutive season, Humboldt placed second overall. The Broncos have much more playoff experience in their lineup, but Kozun doesn’t feel like that should play into the results.

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“If we try to change who we are and how we’ve played all year we’re going to be in trouble,” he said. “The big thing for us is playing the way we have all year. Let’s go out there and play hockey, have fun with it. It doesn’t matter who has experience and who doesn’t, let’s go out there and have fun together,” he said.

The Broncos won three of the four games between the two clubs. Humboldt routed Nipawin early in the year to the tune of 11-4, but the final three games were tighter including a home and home split in late February.

Games 1 and 2 are in Humboldt on Friday and Saturday, the series shifts back to Nipawin for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Face-off at the Elgar Petersen Arena is 7:30 p.m. both nights. The pregame show of Nipawin Rona Hawks Hockey on 750 Beach Radio begins at 7:15 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork

by Clark Stork

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Hawks and Humboldt hit the ice for game one

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