Dawson Zeller scored both goals and Austin Dubinsky turned aside 24 shots as the Niverville Nighthawks edged the Winkler Flyers 2–1 on Monday night in Winkler to take a 2–0 series lead. The win builds on Niverville’s dominant 8–2 victory in Game 1 on Saturday.

After Saturday’s fast and furious start, the first period on Monday had a much slower pace, with numerous icing calls in the opening minutes.

Winkler had the first quality chance of the game five minutes into the opening period, but Dubinsky made a key save. The loose puck sat in the blue paint for a moment before Marlen Edwards tied up his man and cleared the puck with a diving effort to keep things scoreless.

That moment proved pivotal.

Moments later, Loik Leduc found Zeller at the top of the crease, and the 20-year-old slid the puck under the outstretched right pad of Liam Ernst to give the Nighthawks a 1–0 lead. The goal was Zeller’s first of the postseason, with Leduc and Evan Panzer picking up their first assists.

Niverville had several opportunities to extend the lead in the first, including three power plays and a dangerous two-man rush for Panzer and Leduc, but were unable to capitalize.

Ernst came up with a number of key saves to keep Winkler in striking distance, while Dubinsky answered at the other end with a highlight-reel cross-crease stop late in the period off of Riley Fequet.

The Nighthawks carried their slim lead into intermission, having outshot the Flyers 13–8.

Zeller struck again with the game-winner midway through the second period, this time while shorthanded. After forcing a turnover at the Niverville blue line, he broke in alone and slipped a backhand past Ernst to make it 2–0.

That goal marked Niverville’s second shorthanded marker of the series, after Tyler Bernier opened the scoring in Game 1 in similar fashion.

Winkler responded late in the period thanks to defenceman Graeme Pickering. Fresh off celebrating his seventeenth birthday, the St. Adolphe product held the puck in at the blue line, made a beautiful move around a Nighthawks defender, and snapped a shot just under the crossbar to cut the lead to 2–1 heading into the third.

Early on, the Nighthawks nearly restored their two-goal cushion when Zeller set up Panzer for a partial breakaway down the right side, but his shot rang off the post.

Minutes later, Winkler came within inches of tying the game on the power play when Tanner George fired a shot off the crossbar.

Despite extended offensive zone pressure from the Flyers, the Nighthawks remained composed defensively, limiting high-quality chances and protecting their lead.

Winkler pulled their goaltender late and created a final scramble in front with just seconds remaining, but Dubinsky tracked the puck through traffic and smothered it to preserve the lead.

Merik Boles won the ensuing faceoff, sealing the 2–1 victory.

Zeller finished the night with two goals and now has three points (two goals, one assist) in the series. His success against Winkler is nothing new, as he recorded six goals and three assists in the team’s regular-season games against the Flyers.

Dubinsky was steady throughout, stopping 24 of 25 shots, while Ernst turned aside 20 of 22 in the loss.

The Nighthawks have made a habit of winning tight games this season, finishing with a 14–3–1 record in one-goal contests, including a perfect 3–0 mark against Winkler.

The series now shifts back to Niverville for a pivotal Game 3 on Wednesday night, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. at the CRRC.