Niverville Nighthawks sweep Winkler for franchise’s 1st playoff series victory

The Niverville Nighthawks made some franchise history, as they swept past the Winkler Flyers for their first playoff series win as a team.

The Nighthawks were the best team in the MJHL this regular season, and showed it in the playoffs, making short work of a Winkler team which was considered by many one of the better teams in the league.

With divisional-based playoffs in the first round, the fourth-seeded Winkler, the second hottest team in the league, was taken out in convincing fashion by the Nighthawks.

“It bodes well for us to get that tough first round match-up,” head coach Dwight Hirst said, noting he was enjoying a rare relaxing weekend after the Nighthawks took care of business on Friday night.

Niverville looked in control during both the normal, grinding playoff action and when the game opened up.

“That just shows the importance of playing connected and playing together,” Hirst said.

“I think our team is pretty comfortable in either situation, playing riverboat hockey or just shutting it down.”

Hirst praised Waywayseecappo, which swept the higher-seeded Dauphin for their first series win as a franchise. One of those two franchises will go from no playoff wins to an appearance in the finals.

“They’ve got a very dynamic group of forwards on that team, they can play, they can score, they can add offense,” Hirst said, noting goaltender Jace Wareham was performing well as well.

“We’re aware of what they can do offensively, we’ve got to be aware and lock it down, just like we did in round one.”

Hirst said the team is rounding back into form for the playoff run, and thinks they might be playing their best hockey of the year so far.

“Playoffs are a privilege to be in too, there’s really no added pressure being in round two, it’s the same thing we’ve done all year,” he said.

“Just show up to the rink and play hockey, either at home or on the road and do our business.”

Games will alternate between Niverville and Waywayseecappo for the semi-final, with the series kicking off in Niverville April 2. Game three will be in Niverville as well April 6. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

GAME 3

A late insurance marker proved decisive for the Nighthawks in their game three win.

When John Scott nabbed the 3-1 goal with under three minutes remaining, it appeared Niverville would cruise, but a puck-over-glass delay of game penalty gave Winkler a chance, striking with 90 seconds remaining to try and mount a crazy comeback.

Scott managed to reel in the puck at the side of the net after a shot on a two-on-one rush bounced wide, giving the team some much-needed insurance.

Any miracle comeback attempt was extinguished after the Nighthawks pushed the puck into the offensive zone after the centre ice face-off following the 3-2 goal. A great forechecking shift took most of the rest of the game away, with a pair of failed zone entries and a faceoff win ending the game for good.

Hayden Wheddon opened his account for the post-season in the victory, tying the game early in the second period. Winkler managed to contain Niverville’s potent top line for much of the series, but the Nighthawks depth shone through, with the line of John Scott, Marlen Edwards and Cole Mears generating a lot of the team’s offense.

“(They’re) getting match-ups that are sometimes more reserved for your top two lines,” Hirst said.

“It opens up opportunities for them to get out against a four/five defensemen or a third/fourth line. Some teams just can’t match all three lines. They’re taking advantage of those opportunities that come in a game.”

GAME 4

Niverville’s top line came alive in the series victory, with Adam Vigfusson and Merik Boles both picking up three points in a 4-0 win that matched the final series score.

Defenseman Parker Carrier scored the game-winner just six minutes into the game, with assists going to both Vigfusson and Boles. The top line got back to basics, winning an extended board battle and working the puck back to the point for Carrier to wrist on net, where it bounced off the post and in through a screen by Boles.

Winkler had a chance to mount a final push when they got a powerplay 3:30 into the third period when Vigfusson was whistled for interference. He picked a defending Winkler player away from the puck to try and spark a rush chance but the Nighthawks were able to kill the penalty.

Jace Konecsni saved a goal during that penalty kill, getting his stick on a Winkler forward before he could corral a rebound in front of a gaping net.

Vigfusson put the finishing touches on the series a minute after he exited the penalty box, as a puck bounced right off a Flyers defender on a rush and onto his stick, creating a mini-breakaway.

Austin Dubinsky made 38 saves in the shutout victory, picking up MJHL playoff performer of the night honours. Winkler pushed hard in the third period, outshooting the visitors 17-5, but couldn’t beat Dubinsky.

Steinbach is matched up with West Division leaders Virden in the other MJHL semi-final.