Nighthawks prepared for Centennial Cup semi-final against Toronto

A day of rest and relaxation in P.E.I. has the Niverville Nighthawks refreshed and ready to go at the Centennial Cup in Summerside.

The team took a tour around the Island May 14, before a practice just before the start of the quarterfinals the next day. Niverville earned a bye straight to the semi-finals and the right to pick their preferred time slot May 16 after finishing the preliminary round undefeated.

“It was nice to get on the water,” head coach Dwight Hirst said just after practice during the first quarterfinal game of the day.

“It’s nice to do something other than hockey for a day, just unplug.”

Hirst said that off-day fueled an “energetic” practice May 15.

“You could tell the guys had a day off, a day away from the rink, a day away from the gear, not putting it on, not doing anything at a rink.” Hirst said.

“It was nice to do that. The practice pace and how they practiced really showed they were eager to get back on the ice.”

In the first quarterfinal of the day, Ontario Junior Hockey League champions the Toronto Patriots prevailed over Alberta’s Canmore Eagles 7-3.

The Patriots ran away with the game in the third period, scoring five unanswered, including back to back powerplay goals early in the frame to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead. Tommy Karmiris scored what held up as the game-winning goal, tipping home a point shot from right in front of the Eagles’ crease.

The win set up tomorrow’s semi-final clash with Niverville.

An all-Maritime match-up took place in the other quarterfinal, as hosts Summerside defeated Truro 3-1.

The two teams played an epic seven-game series Truro won in the MHL semi-finals, with the P.E.I team coming out on top this time. Ryder Howatt jammed home a rebound after a rush chance was stopped early in the third period to give the home team the win.

Summerside has made the final every year they’ve hosted the Centennial Cup.

Hirst said he thought his team was ready for anything any team could throw at them in the semi-finals.

“I’m looking forward to this weekend,” Hirst said before he knew who the Nighthawks were facing.

“I feel over the moon confident in our group for tomorrow’s game. We’ve got to go through it and play it, but I feel really good for the players for tomorrow… Deep down, I know they know they’re the most prepared team I think in this tournament.”

Niverville will take on Toronto at 2 p.m. Manitoba May 16. Longueuil, which won the other group will take on Summerside in the evening game.