Advertisement

Nighthawks Prevail 5–1 Over Blues

Share:

Nighthawks Mar 17 2 Crop2
Ty Dilello

The Niverville Nighthawks continue to trend in the right direction as they head into their first playoff run, defeating the Winnipeg Blues by a 5–1 score on Friday night at the CRRC. The win improves their record to 26–27–4.

Niverville had an excellent game for the most part as they cruised over the Blues. The team’s star forward Josh Paulhus led the way with two goals in the first period. Isaac Rentmeester also scored for Niverville in the second period to give the club a 3–1 lead.

The Nighthawks pulled away in the last period with goals from Bryce Warkentine and Brendan Bottem.

Chris Fines was excellent once again in net, stopping 34 shots to earn the win.

“We knew that Winnipeg would come out hard, as they’ve given us tough games all year,” said Nighthawks head coach Kelvin Cech. “So I thought the guys were mature, maybe a little bit sloppy at times. I thought Chris Fines was excellent when we needed him to be, and it was a good character win. We just keep going in the right direction.”

Every team in the league wants to peak for the start of the playoffs, and Cech feels that the Nighthawks are on that path to playing at an elite level come the postseason.

“We feel close to where we want to be. Our game has been trending in the right direction for a while now. Even last week, when we had that tough road trip up north, there were times when we played really well and it didn’t go our way. To peak at the right time, we just have to keep focusing on whatever comes tomorrow and trying to get better tomorrow.”

The Nighthawks are back in action for their final regular season game of the year on Sunday, March 19 at the CRRC against the Winkler Flyers. The puck drops at 3:00 p.m.

“Winkler brings out the best in us,” Cech says. “There’s a rivalry there for sure, so it’s a perfect game for us before we head into the postseason.”

Finally, the first-round playoff schedule has been released. Next weekend, the Nighthawks will start the best-of-seven series versus the top-ranked Portage Terriers, alternating home and away games. Mark the dates and times in your calendar.

Round One Schedule

Friday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.—Niverville Nighthawks at Portage Terriers

Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m.—Portage Terriers at Niverville Nighthawks

Tuesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.— Niverville Nighthawks at Portage Terriers

Thursday, March 30, 7:30 p.m.— Portage Terriers at Niverville Nighthawks

Friday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.— Niverville Nighthawks at Portage Terriers

Sunday, April 2, 7:30 p.m.— Portage Terriers at Niverville Nighthawks

Tuesday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.— Niverville Nighthawks at Portage Terriers

Advertisement
More SPORTS & RECREATION

Nighthawks Launch Season Ticket Drive

The Niverville Nighthawks have begun their season ticket drive for the upcoming 2023–24 season. Season tickets are priced at $335 for adults and $190 for students/children. With more than 400...

Read more

The Niverville Nighthawks have begun their season ticket drive for the upcoming 2023–24 season. Season tickets are priced at $335 for adults and $190 for students/children. With more than 400...

Read more

Fast and Gagnon Take Home Awards

A couple of best buds from Niverville and Ste. Agathe received awards at the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL) awards banquet on May 17. Hayden Fast (Niverville) and Denis Gagnon (Ste...

Read more

A couple of best buds from Niverville and Ste. Agathe received awards at the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL) awards banquet on May 17. Hayden Fast (Niverville) and Denis Gagnon (Ste...

Read more
Advertisement

Junior Pilots Off to Nationals

The Junior Pilots 15U Navy girls volleyball team out of Otterburne are on a roll and headed to nationals after recently finishing second overall at the 26-team provincial championships. During...

Read more

The Junior Pilots 15U Navy girls volleyball team out of Otterburne are on a roll and headed to nationals after recently finishing second overall at the 26-team provincial championships. During...

Read more

Local Player Wins Silver at Indigenous Hockey Nationals

Niverville’s Ginger Fast has won a silver medal with Team Manitoba at the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), held this past week at the Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg. The NAHC...

Read more

Niverville’s Ginger Fast has won a silver medal with Team Manitoba at the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), held this past week at the Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg. The NAHC...

Read more
Advertisement

CRRC to Host First Pickleball Tournament

Pickleball seems to be having a moment and the CRRC in Niverville is a great place to fall in love with the sport—or, if you’re already in love, hone your skills. This Saturday, May 13,...

Read more

Pickleball seems to be having a moment and the CRRC in Niverville is a great place to fall in love with the sport—or, if you’re already in love, hone your skills. This Saturday, May 13,...

Read more

Prov Hosts Annual Athletics Award Banquet

The Providence Pilots’s annual athletic awards banquet took place on April 12, and this year the organization had a bevy of people to recognize. The event honoured the coaching careers of three...

Read more

The Providence Pilots’s annual athletic awards banquet took place on April 12, and this year the organization had a bevy of people to recognize. The event honoured the coaching careers of three...

Read more
Advertisement

Providence Hires New Athletics Director

An alumnus of Providence University College has returned to the school as their new Director of Athletics. Russell Willms is set to replace Scott Masterson as head of the Providence...

Read more

An alumnus of Providence University College has returned to the school as their new Director of Athletics. Russell Willms is set to replace Scott Masterson as head of the Providence...

Read more

Fundraising Social to Boost Ste. Agathe Arena

A community social is being held at the Ste. Agathe Arena on May 13 for the Raise the Stick campaign, which is raising money for facility repairs. The event is part of a campaign hoping to raise...

Read more

A community social is being held at the Ste. Agathe Arena on May 13 for the Raise the Stick campaign, which is raising money for facility repairs. The event is part of a campaign hoping to raise...

Read more
Time until next issue
Citizen Poll

In the wake of public outcry against an abattoir in Ste. Agathe, to what degree do you think elected council members should allow public sentiment to influence their decisions?

For related article, see www.nivervillecitizen.com/...