The Hawks battled the Klippers Wednesday in Kindersley in SJHL action. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)
Hawks Hockey

Hawks fail to solve Klippers

Jan 27, 2022 | 12:06 PM

The Hawks lost 5-1 Wednesday in Kindersley giving the Klippers the season series sweep and pushing Nipawin further away from a postseason berth.

With the loss the Hawks sit six points back of Kindersley for the final Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoff spot with 17 games to play. Nipawin head coach Tad Kozun wasn’t impressed with his team’s play following the game.

“We need more urgency. If they aren’t going to do the job then we’re going to find someone who is going to,” Kozun said.

The game could have gone in the Hawks favour, Nipawin had 17 shots on Matthew Pesenti in the first period compared to Kindersley’s four chances on goal, but the Hawks trailed 1-0 after the opening period. Kozun said execution comes down to work ethic and will.

“You’ve got to get a save here and there especially when you are outshooting them that bad,” he said. “Their goalie played well, he left some rebounds there and we didn’t want to go to the hard areas. We’re going to make sure we get to the hard areas and start working.”

Kindersley’s power play took the game over in the second period scoring three times to open a 4-0 lead. Hawks captain Cole Beamin made the score 4-1 late in the period with his third goal of the season. Nipawin was pushing back looking to draw within two before the second intermission, but the Klippers scored with three seconds left in the period taking any hope of a comeback away from the Hawks. Kozun said the fifth goal was deflating.

“Anytime you give up a goal, even in the last two minutes, it’s definitely deflating. You have to go into the room and really think about it, it’s just one of those nights it wasn’t our night. We’re going to get back to work because these guys need to be the hardest working team. That wasn’t Hawks hockey.”

Harmon Laser-Hume suffered the loss in goal after giving up three goals on seven shots. Chase Hamm came on in relief making 19 stops. Pesenti finished with 31 saves for the Klippers.

Nipawin travels to Melfort on Saturday to meet the Mustangs. The game will be broadcasted on Saskatchewan’s Beach Radio beginning at 7:15 p.m.

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork

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