The Niverville Nighthawks started strong, were good in the middle, and rock solid in the third, executing their game plan to perfection in defeating the Steinbach Pistons 4-0 at the CRRC on Tuesday night.
Pre-game salute
With the game on Remembrance Day, the Nighthawks celebrated a long-time service man and volunteer. The crowd rose to their feet, giving the veteran a standing ovation, and after dropping the ceremonial faceoff, all the Nighthawks players lined up to shake his hand.
First period
A packed CRRC had electric vibes with the top two teams in the MJHL meeting at center ice for another installment of their growing rivalry.
Niverville came out ready to play. Time after time, shift after shift, the Nighthawks were in the face of Steinbach, causing the Pistons fits when trying to break out.
The constant pressure not only kept the Pistons on their heels but also forced them to ice the puck several times because they had no other options.
While having much of the puck control in the opening minutes, the Nighthawks didn’t put much toward the net that was threatening.
They would open the scoring thanks to a home-ice bounce.
Kole Mears was coming toward the end of his shift, and the big forward launched a wobbling puck towards the Steinbach zone. The puck hit the ice and jumped straight up and under the crossbar, beating the Steinbach netminder to give Niverville a 1-0 lead. Jaden Mah, who had another strong overall game, picked up the lone assist.
Steinbach did manage to get better as the period went along, but it was the Nighthawks that would extend the lead before the frame was through.
After failing on a power play, Steinbach moved into the offensive zone and turned the puck over just inside the Niverville blueline. The Nighthawks cut through the Pistons’ defenders on their way through the neutral zone, and it was Adam Vigfusson finishing off a nice give-and-go passing play with Hayden Wheddon, putting the home side up 2-0. Jase Konecsni picked up the secondary assist.
Shots finished 12-9 Niverville, and they took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Second period
Throughout the second period, the Nighthawks continued with what made them successful in the first period.
Strong structure allowed them to out-work, out-hustle and out-chance Steinbach.
Chris Quizi was under siege at times in the middle frame, coming up with some sensational saves, which allowed his team to stay in the fight, only down by two.
The 20-year-old goalie could only do so much.
Once again, the top line of the Nighthawks went to work in the offensive zone and Vigfusson would cash in for his second of the night, putting Niverville up 3-0. Merik Boles and Wheddon both picked up assists.
Austin Dubinsky was tested a few times by the visitors, but the 20-year-old Nighthawks netminder was his usual solid self, keeping everything in front of him, making all 7 saves he was asked to.
Niverville took a 3-0 lead into the third and showed no signs of even bending, let alone breaking.
Third period
Any doubt about the outcome was all but squared away when Boles found the back of the net off a wonderful power forward style move, tucking home his 8th of the year from Vigfusson and Wheddon, lighting up the scoreboard again to make it 4-0.
Steinbach made some pushes, but the Nighthawks defenders, with terrific support from the forwards, kept everything to the outside for the most part, and when Steinbach did break in, Dubinsky was there to make the saves.
Han vs Wagner
In the final minute, Steinbach’s Eric Han and Niverville’s Luke Wagner dropped the gloves and had a spirited tilt.
Even though Han was at a disadvantage reach-wise, the 18-year-old got the upper hand, connecting with some big rights that eventually toppled Wagner, who stood in and kept swinging even when Han caught him on the button.
Both players gave each other a tap on the shoulder, a show of respect for the fight.
Final buzzer
After the tilt, the clock wound down and Dubinsky celebrated the shutout, a 4-0 victory over Steinbach, increasing their lead atop the MJHL standings.
Shots were 33-26 Niverville. Power plays were both held scoreless with Niverville finishing 0-4 and Steinbach going 0-2.
Up next
Steinbach will reevaluate and look to respond on Friday night at the Southeast Event Centre against the Swan Valley Stampeders.
The Nighthawks, now riding an 11-game winning streak, will welcome in the defending champion Northern Manitoba Blizzard to the CRRC on Saturday night.
