For the first time in the 2018 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs, the Nipawin Hawks will play a Game 6.
The Hawks were assured of at least a six-game series after dropping a 5-3 decision to the Estevan Bruins in Game 4 action from Estevan, tying their SJHL championship series at two games apiece.
Game 5 of the series will go back in Nipawin on April 20.
After blowing a 3-1 third period lead in Game 3, the Bruins almost experienced déjà vu as they watched a 4-0 lead shrink to 4-3, before adding an empty netter to seal the win.
Zach Goberis scored the empty net goal, and was one of four Bruins with two point nights as Goberis, Kaelan Holt and Jake Fletcher registered one goal and one assist each, while Hayden Guilderson chipped in with a pair of assists.
Tyler Hengen and Michael McChesney added the other goals for the Bruins, while Bo Didur picked up the win in the Bruins goal turning aside 29 shots, to avoid his first three-game losing streak of the season.
Michael Grant, Logan Casavant, and Josh McDougall responded with the goals for the Hawks.
Declan Hobbs was charged with the loss in the Hawks goal, allowing four goals on 23 shots before being lifted in favour of Jake Anthony, who turned aside all ten shots he faced in his first action of the playoffs.
The contest got off to an ugly start for the Hawks as Holt scored a power play marker 1:50 into the first period and Fletcher less than three minutes later, also on the power play.
After yielding a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the game, the Hawks settled down and were able to escape the first period without further damage.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they could not keep the Bruins at bay in the second as Hengen and McChesney scored 5:38 a part, putting the Bruins in front 4-0 just shy of the game’s midway mark.
With the Hawks reeling, it would have been easy for the visitors to pack it in, but knowing they had a chance to go home up 3-1, they refused to quit.
Casavant got the Hawks back to within three with a power play goal at 11:59, and Grant scored less than four minutes later, as the Hawks went into the third trailing 4-2.
With the game shifting Nipawin’s way the Hawks pressed in the third period, outshooting the home side 14-7.
Didur did his best to keep the home side in front, but a McDougall goal with 4:20 to play made the final four minutes a white-knuckle, edge of your seat experience for both sides.
A Jake Heerspink roughing penalty made things even more nerve-racking as the Hawks went to the power play with 1:41 remaining, needing a goal to tie the score.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they could not record the equalizer as Goberis hit the empty net with 1:09 to play, giving the Bruins the win.
After dominating the special teams battle in game three, the Bruins turned the tables on the Hawks in Game 4, scoring twice on five opportunities, while limiting Nipawin to a 1-for-5 night, that included a short handed goal.
The Hawks will look to regain their lead when they return home for Game 5 on April 20.
