The Niverville Nighthawks, playing their second game in less than 18 hours, gutted out a 4–3 shootout victory over the Neepawa Titans on Sunday afternoon at the CRRC.

Fresh off a hard-fought, emotional overtime win over the Selkirk Steelers on Saturday night, the Nighthawks battled through fatigue to secure their third consecutive victory.

Despite the quick turnaround between games, Niverville opened the scoring early, just as they had the night before. Dawson Zeller’s shot in the slot deflected off a Titan defender and landed perfectly for Kole Mears, who pounced on the loose puck and fired it past Neepawa netminder Zach Burleigh to give the Nighthawks a 1–0 lead in the first period.

Burleigh was solid throughout the game, making 35 saves on 38 shots. However, the Nighthawks’ line of John Scott, Ryken Arran, and Max Dowse provided a spark for the team. The trio combined for a key goal early in the second period when Scott found Arran streaking down the left wall. Arran’s quick shot rang off the inside of the post, marking his first Manitoba Junior Hockey League goal and extending Niverville’s lead to 2–0.

Midway through the period, Dowse nearly added to the Nighthawks’ advantage when his shot from the slot rang off the crossbar.

But late in the second, Ryken Arran returned the favour to John Scott, stealing the puck near centre ice and feeding Scott, who made a chipped the puck past a defender before sliding it between Burleigh’s legs with just 20 seconds left to give Niverville a 3–0 lead heading into the final frame.

“We needed that energy, especially in a game where we were coming off a quick turnaround,” said Nighthawks head coach Dwight Hirst. “That line brought it tonight. They played with energy, and they got key goals that put us in a good spot.”

The Titans, however, came out in the third period with the momentum of a well-rested team. Just 34 seconds in, Jackson Kohut’s shot from the point was deflected by Kyle Weisgarber past Nighthawks goalie Austin Dubinsky to make it 3–1.

Midway through the period, Neepawa narrowed the gap further when Tyler Wamboldt set up Talen Wallis, who then fed a quick return pass to Wamboldt, putting him in alone. Wamboldt calmly outwaited Dubinsky and slid the puck under his arm to make it 3-2.

With time winding down and the Neepawa net empty, the Nighthawks had a chance to seal the victory but failed to capitalize. That would come back to haunt them when Keenan Skrupa took a drop pass from Logan Paquette and rifled a wrist shot past Dubinsky to tie the game with 32 seconds left, sending it to overtime.

The extra frame settled nothing, forcing the game to a shootout.

Loik Leduc and Skrupa both scored for their respective teams. However, after both goalies stopped the next two shooters, Niverville’s John Scott stepped up and fired a shot past Burleigh blocker-side to put the Nighthawks ahead.

Paquette had a chance to tie it for Neepawa, but Dubinsky stood tall, making the game-winning save and securing the Nighthawks’ 4–3 shootout victory. Dubinsky stopped 39 of 42 shots he faced on the afternoon. 

With the win, the Nighthawks improve to 9–1–0 on the season, having collected six out of a possible eight points during their current five-game homestand. Neepawa falls to 3–6–0–1.

The Nighthawks now have a few days off before welcoming the Steinbach Pistons to the CRRC on Friday, October 24. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.

See below for game highlights and an exclusive interview with Parker Carrier.