The Nipawin Hawks swarm Alex Bernauer after he scored the overtime goal Saturday in Kindersley. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Streak snapped

Bernauer plays hero as Hawks snap skid

Feb 11, 2024 | 1:28 PM

The Nipawin Hawks have their first win since Jan. 6 thanks to Alex Bernauer’s overtime game winning goal over the Kindersley Klippers in Saturday night Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action.

The 20-year-old Saskatoon products ninth goal of the year was the game winner in a 2-1 victory at the West Central Events Centre. Nipawin had lost eight games in a row prior to Bernauer giving the Hawks their third win of the season over the Klippers. He said getting back in the win column provided some solace for the team.

“I think it’s a huge win, it’s a great stepping stone for us to build off of,” he said after the game. “To have the boys buy in and get that off our shoulders is a great relief.”

After falling 4-3 to Kindersley on Friday, the Hawks needed a victory to keep pace in the SJHL playoff push. Maguire Ratzlaff opened the scoring to give Nipawin a 1-0 lead in the first.

The Klippers tied the game on a power-play in the second period.

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With offence at a premium Tyson Endall and Cody Jaman each made big saves to help their respective teams earn a much needed point by forcing overtime.

Bernauer had been generating chances with linemates Dallyn Peekeekoot and Artem Hrabovestskyi through out the game. The pace continued for Bernauer in the fourth period, he collected a pass from defenseman Henry Smith on the right-wing before snapping the game winning goal past Jaman.

“He [Smith] made that whole play happen and I was just glad to put that one in the back of the net and cap this one off,” Bernauer said.

Endall made 29 saves in the victory, Jaman stopped 25 of 27 Nipawin shots.

The Hawks were unable to score on three power-play chances, the Klippers were awarded nine power-play opportunities and scored once.

Nipawin will look to build off the win on Valentine’s Day at home against the Melville Millionaires at the Centennial Arena, another massive game in playoff chase. Bernauer said the club is thrilled to get back on home ice Feb. 14.

“Just excited for the next game, now we’re ready to go and hope to keep building off that,” he concluded.

Faceoff is 7 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

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