A new year brought the same result for the Niverville Nighthawks. Entering 2026 exactly where they left off, they continued their winning ways with a thrilling 5–4 victory over the Steinbach Pistons in front of a sellout crowd at the CRRC.
This was a matchup of the MJHL’s two top teams, and it delivered on its billing in every way.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The Pistons struck first, with Rory Gilmore opening the scoring. Jackson Kostiuk carried the puck into the Niverville zone before dropping it to Gilmore in the slot, where he snapped a shot over the glove of Austin Dubinsky to make it 1–0.
After taking a bit of time to shake off the rust from the extended break, Niverville found their legs as the opening period wore on and responded with two late goals just 1:01 apart.
Parker Rolston tied the game with his fourth of the season, finishing a perfect feed from Aaron Krestanowich.
Moments later, Kole Mears gave the Nighthawks a 2–1 lead, converting a three-way passing play involving Dawson Zeller and Loik Leduc.
Leduc, who was named the MJHL’s top rookie for December after posting 11 points in nine games, continued to show why he earned that honour, sending a perfect backhand pass to Mears for the goal.
Just as it looked as though Niverville would take the lead into the second period, Steinbach answered in dramatic fashion with a late power play goal. With just three seconds left in the period, Sam Noad won the draw to Jack Greenwell, whose quick shot from the bottom of the left circle beat Dubinsky over the right shoulder.
Dubinsky protested that the net had been dislodged before the puck went in, but after a brief discussion the officials determined that the goal would stand. It was Greenwell’s league-leading twenty-fourth tally of the season.
Momentum Swings
The Pistons regained the lead early in the second period when Noad, while getting knocked down at the top of the crease, managed to knock a loose puck past Dubinsky to make it 3–2.
But once again the Nighthawks had an answer.
Krestanowich kept the puck in at the blue line before working his way into the left circle and sliding a pass across to Hayden Wheddon, who redirected it home from the top of the crease to tie the game 3–3.
The back-and-forth affair continued when Steinbach went back in front. Evan Gradt capitalized on the power play with under three minutes remaining in the period to make it 4–3.
Yet, just as the Pistons had done in the first period, Niverville scored late in the second to tie things up. Adam Vigfusson dug the puck free in the corner before feeding Merik Boles, whose quick sna shot from the left circle beat Bauer under the glove to even the score at 4–4.
Key Kill, Winning Goal
The third period was tight and physical, with chances at both ends. A major turning point came five minutes in when Tyler Bernier was sent hard into the boards by Greenwell. Bernier responded with a flurry of punches on Greenwell, earning a five-minute fighting major and a game misconduct. Greenwell was assessed a two-minute boarding penalty.
Facing an extended penalty, the Nighthawks penalty killers came up big, shutting down the Pistons’ power play.
Moments later, Panzer capitalized, finding the puck in the slot before sending a backhand to the net that found its way behind Bauer for what would stand as the game-winning goal.
The regulation win was especially important in the standings, as Niverville and Steinbach continue to battle atop the division.
“These games against division rivals are always four-point games, so it was important to win this one in regulation,” said Nighthawks head coach Dwight Hirst. “We’ve got two games in hand on the Pistons, so now it’s about taking care of business with those two games and not letting them slip away.”
The Nighthawks won’t have much time to savour the victory. They return to the ice Sunday afternoon to host the Winnipeg Blues at the CRRC. Puck drop for the matinee matchup is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.