The Niverville Nighthawks stormed back from an early deficit and exploded for three third-period power-play goals on their way to a commanding 7–1 win over the Virden Oil Capitals on Teddy Bear Toss night in Virden.
With the win, the Nighthawks stretched their winning streak to 15 straight and improved to 21–1–0 on the year.
Despite the final score, the Nighthawks found themselves in unfamiliar territory early on when Virden struck first, something that’s only happened six times this season. Tyson Ulmer finished a two-on-one off a feed from Tyson Draper, beating Nighthawks goaltender Austin Dubinsky high blocker and triggering a shower of teddy bears from the stands.
The celebration, however, proved short-lived. Moments after play resumed, Nighthawks forward Kole Mears forced a turnover by lifting a defender’s stick in the right circle, freeing the puck for Evan Panzer, who snapped home his sixth of the year glove-side on Braxton Burdeny.
Niverville nearly claimed the lead before the break when Adam Vigfusson broke in alone, but Burdeny turned him aside with a blocker save.
Virden then came inches from regaining the advantage themselves, ringing a shot off the post with just over ten seconds left in the period.
The first half of the middle frame became a showcase for both goaltenders, as Dubinsky and Burdeny traded key stops, keeping their teams in the game.
The stalemate broke just past the halfway mark when Merik Boles slipped past a defender just inside the Virden blueline before feeding Vigfusson, who buried a blocker-side shot for a 2–1 Nighthawks lead.
Calyb Moore doubled the advantage just 1:03 later, firing a shot from the right wall that found its way past Burdeny for his fourth of the season. Niverville carried a 3–1 lead into the third.
Earlier in the week, head coach Dwight Hirst noted the club’s been looking to fine-tune a few areas, but top priority was given to special teams ahead of a heavy section of the schedule coming up.
That work delivered in full during the final frame. Niverville earned four power plays in the third period, scoring on three of them.
Aaron Krestanowich opened the scoring barrage with his first of the season, ripping a shot from the left circle over Burdeny’s glove to make it 4–1.
Moore then added his second of the night following strong forechecking by Parker Rolston and Loik Leduc, who forced a turnover that allowed Rolston to set up Moore in the right circle.
Just seconds after the ensuing faceoff, the game’s most concerning play occurred when Mears was hit from behind by Ty Plasier. Plasier received a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. Mears was assisted by team physiotherapist Justin Giesbrecht and was able to skate to the bench but did not return.
Niverville capitalized on the five-minute power play, scoring twice more: once from Thomas Phillips and once from Leduc, cementing the 7–1 final. It was a career-high game for Phillips, with one goal and three assists.
The Nighthawks have two games left on the road before returning home. They face the Waywayseecappo Wolverines Tuesday, December 2 and then wrap up their five-game road schedule on Friday, December 5 in Steinbach. Niverville returns home Sunday, December 7 when they host Virden.