The Niverville Nighthawks continued their torrid run on Saturday night, coming from behind to defeat the Dauphin Kings 4–2 at Credit Union Place and extend their winning streak to 11 games.
The matchup featured two teams who have played each other close this season despite the difference in the standings. Dauphin entered the night sitting third in the West Division standings, but the Kings were also one of just three teams to have beaten the Nighthawks this year, having handed Niverville a 5–1 loss back on October 12.
Despite playing just their second game in nine days, the league-leading Nighthawks found a way into the win column once again, improving to an MJHL-best 35–2–1.
With starting goaltender Austin Dubinsky sidelined by injury, Ben Chornomydz got the nod for Niverville, marking the first time this season he’s started back-to-back games. Entering the night with a 1.39 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage, Chornomydz was tested early as Dauphin controlled much of the opening period.
The Kings generated several quality chances, including a breakaway by Joey Kubas midway through the frame, but Chornomydz flashed the glove to keep the game scoreless. Dauphin eventually broke through late in the period while on the power play. Kubas carried the puck into the zone before sliding a pass to Rylan Gage, whose quick release beat Chornomydz to give the Kings a 1–0 lead after 20 minutes.
Dauphin outshot Niverville 12–7 in the opening period, but Chornomydz’s steady play kept the Nighthawks within striking distance.
That patience paid off midway through the second period when Niverville tied the game. Aaron Krestanowich fired a perfectly placed slap-pass from the right point to Hayden Wheddon at the left side of the crease, and Wheddon redirected it past Bryson Yaschyshyn for his twentieth goal of the season. The game remained tied 1–1 heading into the third.
Early in the final frame, momentum swung decisively in Niverville’s favour. The Nighthawks were awarded a penalty shot after a Kings defender covered the puck with his glove in the crease. Loik Leduc stepped in, going forehand to backhand to beat Yaschyshyn and put Niverville ahead.
Moments later, the lead doubled. Jake Demone delivered a beautiful slap-pass to Marlen Edwards in the slot, and Edwards spun before slipping a backhand past the Dauphin netminder to make it 3–1.
Edwards has now recorded at least one point in all six games since joining the Nighthawks on January 6.
The Kings briefly pulled back within one when Kubas fired a point shot through traffic that found its way past Chornomydz, cutting the deficit to 3–2.
But just 17 seconds later, Wheddon raced down the right wing on a two-on-one and threaded a pass across to Kole Mears, who snapped a shot over the blocker to restore Niverville’s two-goal lead.
Edwards nearly added his second of the night into an empty net in the final minute, ringing a shot off the post, but it mattered little as the Nighthawks closed out the 4–2 victory.
Chornomydz finished the night with 27 saves and improved to a perfect 11–0. The 18-year-old from Sanford also continued his streak of allowing two goals or fewer in every game.
Niverville now gets a couple of days off before continuing a seven-game road stretch Tuesday night in Portage la Prairie against the Terriers at Stride Place. Portage handed the Nighthawks a 3–2 loss at the CRRC on December 10, the last time Niverville has been beaten.