The Niverville Nighthawks came back down to earth on Saturday evening on the road with a 5–1 loss to the first-place Steinbach Pistons. With the loss, the Nighthawks stay in fourth place in the MJHL’s East Division with a record of 26–23–4.
Despite the outcome, the Nighthawks were able to stick with Steinbach for much of the night. Steinbach scored a couple of late first period goals to lead 2–0, but Adam Vigfusson got one back for Niverville midway through the second frame.
In the third period, Steinbach showed why they are the league’s best team this season by pulling away with a trio of goals.
The Nighthawks can take some positives from managing to hang in with the league’s best team for two periods, according to head coach Dwight Hirst.
“We play a style that’s best for us, as opposed to playing their game,” Hirst said. “We can find ways from there to adjust and compete in those situations.”
The Pistons and Nighthawks will likely meet in the first round of the MJHL playoffs in a few weeks’ time if the latter is able to hang on to the last playoff spot. Therefore, it’s imperative that Niverville develops a strategy to handle that series.
“When you have a game plan and plan to execute, it’s crucial,” he said. “We’ve got to stay the course. When you don’t do what’s planned or needed, then the outcome isn’t going to be what you want.”
The Nighthawks are back in action with a road game on March 5 against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
In other Nighthawks news, Kaycee Coyle was recently named a second team all-star for the MJHL’s 2023–24 season. Nathan Brown and Raiden LeGall were named rookie team all-stars.
Brown was also named the MJHL’s Rookie of the Month for February, as he notched 11 points in 10 games.
