Hawks claw back into series with Humboldt

After a pair of two lacklustre efforts in games one and two that saw Nipawin outscored 12-2 the team rebounded in their own rink, scored early, opened a two goal lead in the opening seven minutes and kept a resurgent Bronco team at bay to extend the series back to Humboldt for game five at least. Stuart said the team now knows what it will take if they hope to upset the favoured Broncos.

“Hopefully we have found that now and these guys see that’s what it takes,” he added. “You have to ramp it up to that level at playoff time.”

Damon Cunningham was spectacular for Nipawin in the win, making his debut SJHL playoff start in goal the 18-year-old from Sturgeon County, Alta. made 40 saves in the victory. Stuart was quick to praise their rookie puckstopper after the game.

“The kid battles, he made some huge saves, right to the end he’s battling and he’s all over the place doing everything he can to get the job done,” he said.

Jared Picklyk stopped 37 shots in the loss for Humboldt.

Special teams have been an issue for the Hawks through the opening two games at the Elgar Petersen Arena. In the Broncos’ pair of wins the team was 50 percent on the power-play, in game three Humboldt had two more goals on the man advantage but in the end had eight opportunities. The Hawks didn’t score in three chances on the power-play.

Game four is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Centennial Arena. Nipawin will look to tie the series. The Broncos will strive to take a stranglehold on the series heading home Friday. Stuart said the series is far from over and expects another fierce fight in game four.

“They believe, we just have to bring it again tomorrow. We must get the job done again. We’re in this series, it’s going to be a fight until the end,” Stuart concluded.

The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for ticket sales. The team accepts cash only.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork

by Clark Stork

Hawks claw back into series with Humboldt

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