The Nipawin Hawks picked up a huge 3-2 overtime victory over the Humboldt Broncos in a family day matinee in Humboldt on Feb. 20 as a win pulled them back into a Sherwood division first place tie with Flin Flon.
It was a back-and-forth game between the two teams with momentum swings going each way.
After a scoreless first period, the teams responded with a three-goal second period, as the Broncos grabbed the first lead of the game but Josh Bly responded just 41 seconds later and Keillan Olson scored six minutes after that to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead after two periods.
Despite being scoreless after the first period, Johnson was really pleased with how the team played.
“I thought we had an outstanding first period and it came out 0-0 but I thought we had some great chances and it could have been 3-0 really,” said Johnson.
“[Broncos goalie Garrett] Mason had a great game and it was tough to put one by him.”
The Broncos knotted the score early in the third, sending the game to overtime tied at two.
After a back-and-forth extra session the Hawks finally ended the game with just 40 seconds to play as Eric Bolden stuffed a wraparound goal past Mason.
Declan Hobbs was spectacular in the Hawks goal, turning aside 41 shots in the win, including a number of point blank opportunities.
The win was huge for the Hawks, and it showed as there was a lot of emotion displayed by both the coaches and the players after the game.
“We’re tied for first with five games left even number of games. We have a pretty tough schedule but we control our destiny,” said Johnson.
After playing far from their best in their previous game, Johnson was really pleased with how the Hawks were able to bounce back against the Broncos.
The win was something they had to own, said Johnson.
“We owned it, we learned from it, we picked ourselves up. That’s my belief of a true champion. Don’t let the past haunt the future.”
The Hawks next hit the ice Feb. 24 when they welcome the league leading Battlefords North Stars to the cage where Johnson said they need to step it up.
“We had some rough outings on our power play the last two games. [I] really liked the pressure we put on Humboldt’s D. I think if we can keep doing that it’s going to serve us well going forward,” said Johnson about the keys to that game.
