A sold-out crowd of elementary school students packed the CRRC on Thursday afternoon for School Day hockey. Although goals were at a premium, the Niverville Nighthawks delivered another strong performance, defeating the Selkirk Steelers 4–2.
The matchup featured two teams trending in opposite directions. Niverville entered the contest riding an eight-game winning streak, while Selkirk had managed just two wins in its previous ten outings.
Both teams had their chances in the opening period but were unable to solve the goaltenders. Selkirk generated several quality looks from in close, while Niverville created opportunities of its own, aided by a pair of power plays.
But strong play from Austin Dubinsky and Ethan Sawyer kept the game scoreless after one.
Niverville broke through early in the second period while on its third power play of the afternoon. Some great puck movement saw Thomas Phillips send a cross-ice pass to Marlen Edwards in the right circle. Edwards quickly returned the puck across the crease to Adam Vigfusson, who controlled it at the top of the blue paint and slid it past Sawyer to open the scoring. The goal sent the 500-plus school kids in attendance into a frenzy.
The Steelers responded midway through the period. Isaac Sousa fired a shot from the point that deflected off the stick of Carter Zalischuk and landed on the stick of Cole Babych in the slot. Babych wasted no time, snapping a slapshot over Dubinsky’s right shoulder to tie the game at 1–1.
MJHL-leading scorer Hayden Wheddon nearly restored the Nighthawks’ lead moments later when he broke in alone on Sawyer, but the Steelers netminder made a key right-pad save to keep the game knotted.
However, Wheddon wouldn’t be denied twice. Off the ensuing faceoff, Merik Boles intercepted a clearing attempt at the blue line. After his initial shot was blocked in front, Boles collected the rebound and fed Wheddon in the bottom of the right circle. This time, Wheddon made no mistake, snapping a shot past Sawyer to give the Nighthawks the 2–1 lead.
The Nighthawks extended their lead midway through the third period, once again on the power play. Vigfusson sent the puck down low to Boles, who quickly returned it into the slot. The Nighthawks captain ripped a slapshot over Sawyer’s right shoulder, putting them up 3–1.
The Steelers attempted to make a late push, pulling Sawyer with three minutes remaining, but Luke Wagner broke up a pass and chipped the puck up the boards to Kole Mears, who fired home his tenth of the season into an empty net to make it 4–1.
Selkirk added a tally late, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Nighthawks from winning their ninth consecutive game and improving to 33–2–1 overall.
This game marked the final contest at the CRRC for the foreseeable future, as Niverville prepares for a seven-game road trip, the longest of the year. The journey begins next Tuesday in Winnipeg against the Blues, with the Nighthawks returning home on February 7 to host the Virden Oil Capitals.
By the Numbers
Vigfusson finished with three points (one goal, two assists), extending his point streak to seven games.
Edwards continued his strong play since being acquired just over a week ago, notching a pair of assists. Edwards has eight points (four goals, four assists) in four games with Niverville.
Boles, with two assists, reached 30 on the season.
Wheddon scored his eighteenth of the season, extending his point streak to six games and has now scored in each of his last three games.
See below for a highlight reel from the game.