On a night dedicated to honouring the past, the Niverville Nighthawks put on a dominant performance for the present, rolling past the Winkler Flyers 8–2 on Saturday night at the CRRC.

The evening began with Legacy Night, as four local MJHL alumni—Roger Chammartin, Dave Martin, Cameron Funk, and Jason Klippenstein—were honoured prior to puck drop. The four grew up playing minor hockey together in Niverville before advancing to the MJHL. They received a rousing ovation from a near-capacity crowd.

With the stage set for a celebration, it was Winkler who struck first.

Coming off their first regulation loss in nearly two months, the Nighthawks were looking to rebound with a solid effort, but the Flyers silenced the crowd just 21 seconds into the game. Winkler captain Kam Thomas finished a two-on-one, converting a pass from Jacob Michelson to give the visitors an early 1–0 lead.

The goal served as a wake-up call, prompting the Nighthawks would take over the game from there. The home team responded with six unanswered goals in the next 39 minutes, beginning with Loik Leduc, who tied the game with his tenth of the season. Leduc moved into the slot and snapped a shot just under the crossbar, beating Leif Ekblad over the blocker.

Moments later, the Flyers had an opportunity to regain their lead, but it was the Nighthawks who took control. Thomas Phillips sent a perfect stretch pass to Ryken Arran at the red line, who broke in alone and beat Ekblad to give the Nighthawks a 2–1 lead, a lead they never relinquished.

The middle frame belonged entirely to the Nighthawks.

Leduc struck again midway through the period when Kole Mears chipped a pass to the streaking forward. Leduc outwaited the 6’5 Ekblad and slid the puck under the left pad to make it 3–1.

Just 1:22 later, Mears got on the scoresheet himself, redirecting a point shot from Dawson Zeller to extend the lead.

Then, in a stunning 11-second span, Merik Boles, who was suiting up in the two hundredth game of his MJHL career, took over.

While on the power play, some great puck movement saw all five Nighthawks touch the puck before Hayden Wheddon found Boles with a cross-crease feed, which he buried to make it 5–1.

Off the ensuing faceoff, Wheddon and Adam Vigfusson broke in on a two-on-one. Wheddon’s shot was blocked, but the rebound landed right on Boles’ stick, and he ripped a glove-side shot past Ekblad to make it 6–1 and chase the Winkler goaltender from the game.

Winkler showed some push early in the third period. Tanner George displayed great hand-eye coordination by tipping a point shot past Austin Dubinsky to cut the lead to 6–2.

But any thoughts of a comeback were quickly erased as defenceman Aaron Krestanowich scored twice in the final frame. It was the first multi-goal game of his MJHL career, sealing the 8–2 victory for the Nighthawks.

By the Numbers

Niverville has outscored its opponents 22–6 in three games following losses this season.

Leduc recorded his first two-goal game of the year.

Boles played in his two hundredth MJHL game, bringing his career totals to 117 points in 185 regular-season games, adding another three points in 15 career playoff games.

Wheddon recorded two assists, giving him 13 multi-point games this season and tying him for the MJHL lead in scoring with 45 points.

Vigfusson added two assists to give him 25. He now sits third in MJHL scoring with 43 points.

Dubinsky earned his league-leading nineteenth win, stopping 18 of 20 shots.

Zeller recorded his first three-point game of the season with three assists.

Mears posted his first three-point night of the season with a goal and two assists.

Arran’s shorthanded goal was the Nighthawks’ fourth of the season.

Looking Ahead

The Nighthawks won’t have much time to celebrate, as they’re back in action tonight against the Winnipeg Blues at The Rink Training Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.

Niverville then hits the road next Wednesday to face the Portage Terriers before returning home for its final game before the Christmas break on Friday, December 19, when they welcome the Selkirk Steelers to the CRRC. Puck drop is also scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

See below for game highlights and an exclusive interview with Loik Leduc.