The Nipawin Hawks look for their third straight win Friday night in Melfort. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Rivalry Weekend

Hawks and Mustangs renew acquaintances

Dec 17, 2021 | 10:16 AM

For the first time since Oct. 2, the Nipawin Hawks will tangle with the Melfort Mustangs Friday in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action.

Nipawin is fresh off two straight wins including a 5-4 overtime victory in Yorkton Tuesday, Melfort is also trending up with triumphs in the teams last five contests. Nipawin head coach Tad Kozun said he expects the best from both clubs in the first half of a home-and-home weekend series.

“They are starting to find their game, but I’d say we’re starting to find our game right now too. We’re going to be ready,” Kozun said.

The Hawks have a record of two wins and two losses since Kozun took over for Doug Johnson behind the bench of his hometown team. Kozun said ramping up the rivalry with the Mustangs is something he’s looked forward to since his playing days with the Hawks.

“We’re going to make sure our guys are ready and understand how big of a battle this is,” he said. “Being a Nipawin guy laying here I know how much I hate Melfort and we’re going to make sure the rest of those guys in the room do too.”

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Nipawin has climbed back into a playoff spot after slipping outside the top eight in the SJHL standings in recent weeks. The Mustangs are stuck in a logjam for third overall with both Flin Flon and the Battlefords North Stars. Nipawin forward Brody Wilson said after the victory in Yorkton earlier this week that the team is focused on the critical points at hand ahead of a much-needed break for the club.

“We take this win to midnight tonight, then we regroup. These are huge rivalry games this weekend, we just have to come back and get two big wins this weekend,” Wilson said.

The teams split their first two games of the season series back on Oct. 1 and 2. Friday’s matchup marks the first of four straight meetings, the teams start the stretch at the Northern Lights Palace first, face off is slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s game is in Nipawin at the Centennial Arena, also with a 7:30 p.m. start time.

Friday’s game will be broadcasted on Saskatchewan’s New Beach Radio beginning with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m.

–

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork