It was déjà vu at the CRRC on Sunday afternoon, as the Niverville Nighthawks earned their third consecutive 2–1 victory, and tenth straight overall, this time defeating the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
Coming off identical 2–1 wins over the Dauphin Kings and Winkler Flyers, the Nighthawks faced a well-rested Wolverines squad returning to action after a ten-day break.
The Nighthawks didn’t make it easy on themselves in the opening period, landing themselves in the penalty box three times in the first ten minutes.
Despite the setbacks, Niverville’s penalty killers continued their stellar play, keeping the league’s top scorers, Sebastian Hicks and Ben Roulette, off the board. Coming into the contest, the Nighthawks had allowed just five power play goals on 67 opportunities this season.
Niverville struck first early in the second period thanks to some veteran chemistry. After Hayden Wheddon’s shot went wide, Adam Vigfusson gathered the loose puck behind the net and found a wide-open Merik Boles between the circles. Boles snapped a quick shot past Wolverines goaltender Jase Wareham to give the Nighthawks a 1–0 lead.
Niverville outshot the Wolverines 12–9 in the middle frame but were only able to beat Wareham once.
And those saves would prove essential, as the Wolverines responded five minutes into the third. Hicks carried the puck into the Nighthawks zone before sliding a pass to Roulette in the right circle, who faked a shot, moved around Austin Dubinsky below the goal line, and tucked in a backhander to even the score at one.
But the Wheddon–Vigfusson–Boles line wasn’t done. Wheddon entered the Wolverines zone and drew two defenders before finding a streaking Vigfusson in the left circle, whose quick snapshot slipped through Wareham and trickled across the line for the game-winner.
“We didn’t come out and play our best right away,” says Nighthawks defenceman Luke Wagner. “But I think we let the talent and chemistry of our team take over, which helped us win the game.”
When asked about the Nighthawks’ impressive run in close games, Wagner credits the team’s preparation and leadership.
“You have to give credit to the coaches and everyone who puts in all the work at practice, performing their roles so we can win these 2–1 hockey games.”
With the victory, Niverville improves to 16–1–0 on the season and keeps their remarkable ten-game winning streak alive.
Dubinsky recorded his league-leading thirteenth win of the season, stopping 27 of 28 shots.
The Nighthawks continue their six-game homestand Tuesday afternoon when the Steinbach Pistons visit the CRRC. Niverville has won both meetings against the Pistons this season after a home-and-home series back on October 24–25. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m.
See below for a game highlight reel and an exclusive video interview with Luke Wager.