The Nipawin Hawks put a quick end to their two game losing streak as they knocked off the Notre Dame Hounds 4-2 in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League action in Nipawin.
Doug Johnson, the Hawks’ head coach noted it was nice to snap that streak before it festered too long, but said he was not overly concerned with the way his team played in the two previous losses.
“I thought the two losses we had I thought we played very well... The other team got a few breaks and we didn’t really work as hard as we needed to to generate the second chance opportunities. So happy with how things turned out and hopefully we can keep this going now.”
The Hawks got on the board first in the first period of the Oct. 27 game as Josh McDougall scored an unassisted goal at 8:20 to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead, which they would carry into the second period.
After the Hounds scored to tie the game, Brandan Arnold responded with his first of two on the night to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead after two periods.
Brett Harasymuk then extended the Hawks’ lead to two goals just 2:58 into the third period.
After the Hounds cut the Hawks lead back to one, Arnold delivered the dagger scoring into the empty net with just 52 seconds to play to give the Hawks the 4-2 win.
Despite the win, Johnson noted the game did not get off to a very good start for his club, but said they were able to get better as the game wore on.
“When we were bad we still were able to eliminate some chances and not really bend enough to break. So happy with that and very happy that we got better as the game wore on. We really started using our speed and our skill to generate plays.”
Arnold, Harasymuk and McDougall finished the night with four goals and one assist combined, and Declan Hobbs turned aside 31 of the 33 shots he faced, which was huge, noted Hawks head coach Doug Johnson, who said his best players were his best players in this game.
“You have to have your best players be your best players. If you don’t then you’re not going to have a very good team. And we’ve said that constantly.”
Hobbs’ 31 save effort was enough to earn him his fifth win in six games to start the season, as the Hawks were outshot 33-30 by the Hounds.
