The Niverville Nighthawks earned a hard-fought 2–0 shutout victory over the Swan Valley Stampeders during their second northern road swing of the season.
In a matchup that featured strong goaltending and key penalty kills, Niverville secured its third win in as many meetings against Swan Valley while maintaining its grip on top spot in the league standings.
Despite a recent stretch where the Nighthawks admittedly weren’t playing at their best, the Nighthawks entered Friday’s matchup riding the momentum of an 8–3 victory over the Selkirk Steelers earlier in the week, a performance that showed signs of the dominant form they carried through the first 40 games of the season.
Against Swan Valley, they continue trending in the right direction.
Both teams tested the waters early, with goaltenders Austin Dubinsky and Easton Falls called into action in the opening minute. Dubinsky turned aside a dangerous redirect while Falls denied Loik Leduc on a partial breakaway moments later, all before the game was a minute old.
Chances were traded throughout the spirited, fast-paced first period, but neither side broke through.
The first goal, and eventual game-winner, came just over five minutes into the second period. Parker Carrier fired a wrist shot from the point that found its way past Falls, giving Niverville a 1–0 lead. The goal continues a recent surge for Carrier, who has scored three times in his last seven games after finding the net just four times in his first 41 appearances.
The middle frame was defined by special teams, with the Nighthawks’ penalty kill standing tall. Niverville successfully staved off four Swan Valley power plays to preserve the lead heading into the third period.
Early in the final frame, it appeared Niverville was about to double their lead when Calyb Moore’s one-timer slid behind Falls. However, the puck was cleared off the goal line and the play was waved off.
The special teams battle continued. Niverville earned three power plays in the first half of the third period, but they were unable to convert.
Dubinsky delivered perhaps his biggest save of the night just before the midway point of the third. Dylan Ruff beat his defender at the blue line and drove hard to the net, but Dubinsky shut the door with a clutch stop to maintain the shutout.
With just over two minutes remaining, the Nighthawks finally secured some breathing room. After a Swan Valley turnover, Kole Mears fired a shot from the right circle that was stopped by Falls, but the rebound kicked to Merik Boles at the top of the crease. Boles buried his twenty-second goal of the season to make it 2–0.
Earlier in the day, Boles had announced his commitment to the University of Regina Cougars for next season. Mears’s assist on the play marked his twentieth of the campaign.
Dubinsky was stellar between the pipes, stopping all 30 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season. The win improves his record to an MJHL leading 29–3–0–1.
Falls was strong in defeat, turning aside 27 of 29 shots.
Defensive special teams made the difference, with both clubs combining for a perfect nine-for-nine on the penalty kill.
With the victory, the Nighthawks improve to 42–6–1, three points ahead of Steinbach for first top in the MJHL standings. Niverville will look to extend their winning streak to three games on Saturday night when they visit the Blizzard.