The Niverville Nighthawks continued their historic season Tuesday night in Selkirk, defeating the Steelers 4–2 to extend their winning streak to ten games.

The victory also marked Niverville’s fiftieth win of the season, pushing the club past the 100-point mark in the MJHL standings with a record of 50–6–1. They are the first team to surpass 100 points since the Steinbach Pistons reached 100 during the 2017–18 season, which was played under a 60-game schedule as opposed to the current 58.

Niverville now sits at 101 points, the highest total since the Portage Terriers recorded 106 points in the 2015–16 season, also during a 60-game campaign.

The game marked the sixth and final meeting between the two clubs this season, with the Nighthawks entering the night looking to complete a series sweep. Niverville came in riding high after an emotional 4–3 overtime victory over the Winkler Flyers that secured top spot in the league.

The Nighthawks’ second-ranked power play had an opportunity to open the scoring early in the first period, but it was the Steelers who struck first. Wyatt Witham stole the puck at the Selkirk blue line and broke in alone on Niverville goaltender Ben Chornomydz, beating him for his twenty-third goal of the season and first shorthanded tally to give Selkirk a 1–0 lead.

Niverville responded late in the period on the power play. Leduc set up Marlen Edwards at the top of the right circle. Edwards skated into the slot before firing a shot through traffic that beat Ethan Sawyer, tying the game at one. The goal was Edwards’ eighteenth of the season, with assists credited to Evan Panzer and Thomas Phillips.

Selkirk nearly regained the lead with two minutes remaining in the period when Dale Goodbrandson was left alone in front of the net, but Chornomydz made a spectacular glove save to keep the game tied.

Moments later, the Nighthawks had a chance of their own, breaking in on a three-on-one in the final 30 seconds of the period, but Sawyer turned the opportunity aside.

Selkirk outshot Niverville 20–11 in the opening frame.

The Steelers took an early penalty in the second period, and this time the Nighthawks capitalized quickly. Just 18 seconds into the power play, Aaron Krestanowich moved to the middle of the ice and fired a wrist shot past Sawyer to give Niverville a 2–1 lead. Merik Boles and Hayden Wheddon picked up the assists.

The Nighthawk got two more power plays in the middle frame but were unable to capitalize. Those missed opportunities to extend the lead proved costly in the third period.

Selkirk tied the game at two when Landon Pue pounced on a rebound and slid a backhand under Chornomydz.

The Steelers nearly grabbed the lead moments later when Cole Babych had a golden chance from the top of the blue paint, but Chornomydz slid across the crease to make a remarkable left-pad save, a stop that proved pivotal.

One minute later, Jaden Mah fired a shot from the right point that was redirected by Ryken Arran in front, restoring the Nighthawks’ lead. The goal was Arran’s twelfth, with assists to Mah and Calyb Moore.

Chornomydz continued to come up big down the stretch, including a key stop on Kayden Turner with seven minutes remaining.

Both goaltenders traded critical saves in the closing minutes before Edwards sealed the win in unusual fashion. The Nighthawks forward was taken down by a high stick while attempting to score on an empty net and officials awarded the goal to make it 4–2.

Chornomydz was the difference for Niverville, turning aside a season-high 52 shots to earn his seventeenth win of the year. Sawyer was equally impressive in the Steelers net, knocking aside 47 shots. 

The Nighthawks now sit at 101 points in the standings with one regular season game remaining. They will travel to Portage on Friday night to face the Terriers.

Niverville’s first-round playoff opponent will be the Winkler Flyers. Winkler currently sits five points behind Portage for third place in the East Division. This will be a rematch of last season’s first-round series, when the Flyers eliminated the Nighthawks in six games.

Playoff dates and times are expected to be announced in the coming days.