The Nipawin Hawks appear poised to make a late season surge in the standings, as they’ve rattled off four straight wins, including three straight in convincing fashion in the last four nights, including 7-1 over the visiting La Ronge Ice Wolves on Friday.
The Hawks (22-17-2-0) scored the first six goals of the game including four in the second period, and the damage was done by seven different scorers. Michael Makarenko, Jake Tremblay and Jordan Simoneau all had a goal and an assist, while Andrew Schaab added his first SJHL goal, and Sawyer Senio and Burke Simpson chipped in the others.
Ross Hawryluk is in a groove lately, giving up just one goal in each of his last three wins this week, making 31/32 saves on Friday. The Hawks are still in sixth spot in the overall standings, but they’re now just three points back of La Ronge for fourth and a home ice spot, and six behind third place Yorkton with four games in hand.
Spencer Kennedy had the only goal for the Ice Wolves (22-15-3-2).
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The Estevan Bruins won their fifth straight game, 5-3 over the Melville Millionaires as the Bruins try to grab the inside track on a playoff spot down the stretch.
Griffin Asham-Moroz had three assists for the Bruins (18-17-2-1) and Randy Cooke made 30/33 saves in the win. Eddie Gallagher (1g-1a), Dayton Deics, Brady Nicholas, Tyler Savage and Isaiah Thomas did the scoring. Estevan’s now three points up on Kindersley for the final playoff spot with three games in hand.
Payton Jerome, Aidan Steinke and Zach Bannister replied for the Millionaires (12-22-2-4) who’ve now dropped four in a row.