The Niverville Nighthawks have won a remarkable nine games in a row following a win over the visiting Winkler Flyers at the CRRC.

Both teams entered the matchup with momentum on their side, with Winkler having won four of their last five contests. The Flyers, however, hadn’t played since October 26.

The opening period was a defensive battle, with just nine shots combined between the teams. Niverville outshot Winkler 6–3 and managed to capitalize on one of their few opportunities. Evan Panzer’s backhand deflected off Flyers defenceman Graeme Pickering and went right to Dawson Zeller at the side of the net, who tucked it in to give the Nighthawks a 1–0 lead.

The intensity ramped up in the second period, with both teams trading chances and heavy hits.

Winkler finally broke through midway through the frame thanks to a great individual effort from Trevor Dalton, who chipped the puck off the boards past a defender, drove to the net, and slipped it past Austin Dubinsky for his fourth goal of the season.

Early in the third, the Nighthawks’ power play delivered the eventual game-winner. Hayden Wheddon set up Jaden Mah in the right circle, whose attempted cross-ice pass deflected off a stick and Owen Wallace’s skate before beating Flyers goaltender Leif Ekblad over the right arm. The goal put Niverville back in front 2–1, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The victory improves the Nighthawks’ record to 15–1–0,  keeping them atop the MJHL standings, while the Flyers fall to 6–9–1, good for sixth place in the East Division. 

Next up, Niverville welcomes the Waywayseecappo Wolverines to the CRRC on Sunday, November 9, for their first meeting of the season. The Wolverines boast the league’s top two scorers, Sebastian Hicks and Ben Roulette. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m.

See below for the game’s highlight reel.