The Niverville Nighthawks and Winnipeg Blues delivered an exciting display of hockey on Wednesday night at the CRRC, with Niverville emerging victorious in a wild 6–5 overtime decision. The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw both teams capitalize on power plays and exchange momentum-shifting goals, ultimately leading to a dramatic overtime finish.
After a scoreless first period, the action heated up in the second. Niverville struck early with a power-play goal just nine seconds into the period. Right off the draw, veteran forward Adam Vigfusson drove through the slot and fired a shot that was stopped by Winnipeg goaltender Mason Burkes.
However, the rebound bounced directly to Nighthawks’ forward Hayden Wheddon, who made no mistake, lifting the puck over Burkes’ glove to give Niverville a 1–0 lead.
The Blues responded quickly, scoring two goals just 1:31 apart to take a 2–1 lead. Carson White and Fenton Mann were the goal-scorers, shifting momentum in favour of the Blues.
But Niverville didn’t take long to tie the game. Calyb Moore was allowed to walk in and rip a shot just under the crossbar for his second goal of the preseason, knotting the game at 2–2.
With just under five minutes remaining in the period, Wheddon was at it again. After holding the puck in at the blue line, he was given space to skate into the slot before unleashing a shot over Burkes’ glove, giving Niverville a 3–2 lead heading into the final period.
Special teams took centre stage in the third period as the penalties mounted, leading to a flurry of goals. Niverville increased their lead on the power play when John Scott, after a wide shot from Adam Vigfusson, scooped up the loose puck behind the net and snuck a wraparound past Burkes to make it 4–2.
The Blues responded on their own power play, with Eloi Robert finding Eli Fox sneaking in from the point. Fox fired a shot that slipped under Niverville goaltender Austin Dubinsky’s arm to make it 4–3. Robert finished with three assists on the night.
Niverville regained their two-goal cushion shortly thereafter. Matthew Bertolin’s relentless pressure behind the Blues’ net forced a turnover, and he quickly fed a wide-open Wheddon, who took a shot over the blocker of Burkes to make it 5–3.
But the Blues refused to go down without a fight. White completed a beautiful three-way passing play to pull Winnipeg back within one.
Two minutes later, Matthew O’Sullivan took the puck behind the Nighthawks’ net and, working his way to the bottom of the circle, fired a shot over Dubinsky’s shoulder to tie the game at 5–5 and send it to overtime. O’Sullivan (one goal, three assists) finished with a four-point evening.
In the extra frame, Max Dowse had a chance to end it as he found himself behind the Blues defence, but after two unsuccessful shots he attempted to score on a wraparound. The puck slid off his stick, to a waiting Merik Boles, who fired it past Burkes’ blocker to give Niverville the 6–5 victory.
By the Numbers
Power play: Niverville finished three for six while Winnipeg converted on three of their four chances.
Shots on goal: Niverville outshot Winnipeg 45–25.
Veteran impact: The Nighthawks were led by their veteran players in Wednesday’s game. Wheddon (two goals, one assist), Boles (two goals), Vigfusson (one assist), and Bertolin (two assists) all made an impact in their first preseason game.
Goaltending. Austin Dubinsky made 14 saves on 17 shots in his preseason debut.
That little bit extra: It was the second straight game that the Nighthawks went to extra time, and in both games they came out the winner.
What’s Ahead
The Nighthawks will look to carry their momentum into their next game on Friday, when they welcome the Steinbach Pistons to the CRRC for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. Niverville then wraps up their preseason on Saturday with a road game against Steinbach in the second part of the home-and-home series.
The Nighthawks’s regular season home-opener is set for Friday, September 19, when they host the Winnipeg Blues at the CRRC.