It didn’t come easy, but the Niverville Nighthawks continued their winning ways Tuesday night, earning their eighth straight victory with a 5–1 win over the Winnipeg Monarchs.
On paper, the Nighthawks entered the contest as clear favourites. But as the saying goes, the game isn’t played on paper, and Winnipeg made it interesting, backed by a stellar performance from goaltender Dylan McFadyen.
McFadyen was outstanding throughout the night, turning aside wave after wave of Niverville pressure and keeping the Monarchs within striking distance until the final eight minutes of regulation.
In the end, however, the MJHL’s top offensive team proved too much to contain.
Calyb Moore opened the scoring with his tenth of the season, jumping on a loose puck at the top of the crease and chipping it past McFadyen to make it 1–0.
At the other end, Nighthawks goaltender Ben Chornomydz was called upon for timely saves despite limited action. Winnipeg’s first shot of the game came on a breakaway midway through the period, but Chornomydz turned it aside.
Moments later, the Monarchs capitalized on a scramble in front, with Cam Alt poking the puck home to tie the game.
The Nighthawks regained the lead on the power play when Thomas Phillips found Hayden Wheddon at the bottom of the right circle. Wheddon’s quick shot beat McFadyen, sending Niverville into the intermission up 2–1.
Both netminders stole the spotlight in the second period. McFadyen stopped all 15 shots he faced, while Chornomydz was sharp on the six Winnipeg attempts, keeping the score unchanged heading into the third.
The Monarchs nearly tied the game early in the third when Idris Alameddine broke in alone, but once again Chornomydz came up with a massive save to preserve the lead.
Niverville was handed a four-minute power play after Phillips took a stick to the face, and once again they failed to extend the advantage.
That breathing room finally came with just over eight minutes remaining. Nighthawks captain Adam Vigfusson forced a turnover in the left circle and fed Wheddon, whose initial shot was stopped. Merik Boles pounced on the rebound at the top of the crease, burying his eighteenth goal of the season to make it 3–1. The tally leaves Boles just two goals shy of tying his career-high 20 from last season.
The game was put out of reach moments later in unusual fashion. While on the power play, two Monarchs collided in their own zone, allowing Tyler Bernier to collect the puck in the slot. Bernier slipped a backhand through McFadyen for a shorthanded goal, snapping an eight-game goal drought and making it 4–1.
Loik Leduc added a late goal to cap the scoring as the Nighthawks skated away with another win, improving to league-leading 33–2–1.
By the Numbers
Chornomydz remains perfect and has allowed just 12 goals in his nine games so far. He has yet to surrender more than two goals in a game.
Wheddon suited up for his two hundredth career junior game and registered a three-point night, extending his point streak to five games. He leads the MJHL with 56 points, three ahead of teammate Adam Vigfusson.
Leduc extended his point streak to nine games with his late goal. During the streak, he has six goals and 10 assists.
With an assist, Phillips extended his point streak to four games, registering a goal and five assists.
Looking Ahead
The Nighthawks return home Thursday afternoon for a rare school-day game against the Selkirk Steelers. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Following that matchup, Niverville will head out on a seven-game road trip before returning to the CRRC on February 7 to host the Virden Oil Capitals.