NIPAWIN — In sports your best players have to be your best players if you want to win.
The Nipawin Hawks proved that rule to be true as they picked up a 4-3 win over the Steinbach Pistons in Game 1 action from the Anavet Cup in Steinbach.
Hawks top forward, and SJHL leading playoff scorer, Brandan Arnold had a huge night for the black and gold registering a point on each of the Hawks’ four goals.
The 21-year-old Dods-land native scored three times, including one with 1:04 left in the third period to break a 3-3 tie, and added one assist.
The hat trick was Arnold’s first since registering a natural hat trick in his Hawks season debut on Oct. 6.
Seeing his top forward enjoy a solid night offensively was obviously nice for head coach Doug Johnson, who said it was Arnold’s speed and tenacity that won the day.
“He just played with a lot of speed, he played with a lot of determination, he was winning his one-on-one battles and then people were getting him the puck too. You don’t score three goals without some help from linemates.”
Captain Carter Doerksen added the other Hawks goal, while Tyler Adams and Grant Baetsen registered two assists each.
Declan Hobbs picked up the win in the Hawks goal, turning aside 29 of the 32 shots he faced for his first career Anavet Cup win.
Bradley Schoonbaert, and Drew Worrad responded for the Pistons each scoring once and setting up two others, while Austin Heidemann added the other.
Matthew Thiessen was charged with the loss after allowing four goals on 25 shots.
The opening game of the best of seven national championship qualifier could not have gone any better for the visitors as Arnold opened the scoring just 1:17 into the opening period.
Arnold extended the lead to two with his second of the series at 16:13 of the first period.
After Worrad scored to cut the Hawks’ lead back to one, the black and gold wasted little time regaining their two goal edge, as Doerksen scored eight seconds later, putting the Hawks in front 3-1 after the first period.
Unfortunately for the visitors, that late goal did not work as a momentum builder, as the Pistons responded with an excellent second period, which saw them hold a 12-6 edge in shots.
Heidemann and Sch-oonbaert each scored during the second period barrage, as the two teams went into the third tied at three.
While it is never a great idea to blow a two-goal lead, Johnson noted it was not from a lack of effort, just a couple of mistakes that they would like to have back.
“At the end of the day we learn from them and get better from them and go from there.”
The game remained tied until the final minutes, when Arnold beat Thiessen, to complete the hat trick and give the Hawks a 4-3 win.
It was a quiet night on the special teams battle, with the teams combining for just six power plays.
It was a really quiet, but effective night for the Hawks’ power play as they scored on their only opportunity, while their penalty kill finished the evening 4-for-5.
The Pistons outshot the Hawks 32-25.
