Niverville faces tall task in inaugural MJHL playoff series

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This article was published 23/03/2023 (833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kelvin Cech expects Niverville to be rocking for the Nighthawks first foray into the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) playoffs.

The team will need every boost it can get, as they’ll be up against the best team in the league this regular season, as the Portage Terriers finished 34 points ahead of them in the standings.

“We want to take care of every aspect of the game we can,” Cech, Niverville’s head coach and general manager, said.

“If we’re looking at old school hockey cliches, it’s going to take a little bit of luck, some goaltending, good special teams, and carrying the play five-on-five.”

The Nighthawks had a 2-3 record against the Terriers this season, including a 3-2 shootout win March 15. The game may have clinched first place in the league for Portage, but gave Niverville the belief they could hang with the regular season champions.

“If it was a month earlier, maybe it’s not as important,” Cech said on the March 15 showdown.

“We are playing the number one seed, and for the guys to recently beat them and play well… it’s confidence for the guys going into our first playoff series.”

Across those games, Niverville was lead by their captain, as Brett Tataryn notched four goals and two assists. Braden Panzer also was a standout, picking up five points and adding the shootout winner March 15.

Portage head coach and general manager Blake Spiller was quick to praise Niverville, shouting out shrewd moves to trade for players during the season to improve their club.

“You can’t go by the regular season record,” Spiller said after their final game of the season against Steinbach.

“We know we’re going to be in tough here. We like their club. They’re quick, they’ve got some size, so it’s definitely going to be a tough series.”

Cech said making moves at the deadline this year, acquiring forward Ethan Whillans and defenseman Kayden Skulmoski, was not only about bringing in two experienced players, but also sending a message to his team.

“We were happy that we were adding at the deadline rather than selling,” he said.

“That was a goal of (assistant general manager) Mike McAulay and myself, to make the playoffs. To bring in a couple guys, to show the group that ‘hey, we’re loading up, we’re adding, we believe in you guys,’ was really important.”

Cech was also quick to praise his counterpart’s roster moves, noting Portage executed an excellent quick re-build in a year they’re hosting the national junior A championships.

“(Portage was) really under the gun to put together a powerful team,” he said.

“I know (Spiller) and his staff have done a ton of work, and done a great job at that.”

Spiller said he was looking forward to getting some time off to rest and recuperate before the playoffs begin March 24. Game two will be in Niverville, with a packed and passionate crowd expected to watch the Nighthawks kick off their first-ever post season March 25.

Puck drop for game one is at 7:30 p.m. for all games in the series.

“It’s going to be electric,” Cech said on the Niverville crowd.

“(The fans) are so into it. It’s a tough place to play for the visitors.”

Game four and six (if necessary) will also be in Niverville, on March 30 and April 2 respectively. Portage also boasts a local connection, as goaltender Jayden Catellier is from St Pierre. Catellier started in 23 games this season, while Bailey Monteith started 30 for the Terriers.