The Nipawin Hawks are heading into the Christmas break feeling good about themselves as they are riding a four game winning streak.
The Hawks pushed their streak thanks to a pair of wins this week as they knocked off the La Ronge Ice Wolves 3-0 in La Ronge on Dec. 16 and 2-1 in Nipawin on Dec. 17.
TJ Millar, the Hawks’ assistant coach, said the key to their success this week was focusing on the little details throughout each game and said their defense was great.
“It was the exact high note we wanted to end off on for the first half and we’ve got a lot of momentum coming back when we start going again on the 27th, especially with Eric Bolden coming back.”
Millar said they are really excited to see what Bolden is going to bring to the table for the Hawks.
With the timing of the break coming during a four game winning streak, Millar said he is not concerned that it will disrupt the chemistry the team has built up over the past couple of games.
“We’ve got a lot of character individuals on that team and a lot of guys who are in the right mindset and they know that we need to get a job done. I think it’s just going to add fuel to the fire and we’re going to come out hot.”
With the perfect 2-0 week, the Hawks improve their record to 17-10-2-1 on the season and move into fifth place in the league standings, four points behind the Humboldt Broncos for fourth, with seven games in hand and nine points behind the Flin Flon Bombers for third with five games in hand.
Looking ahead, the Hawks enjoy a 13-day Christmas break before returning to action for a home-and-home series Dec. 30 and 31 against the Melfort Mustangs, starting in Melfort.
After the break, Millar said the key for the Hawks is going to be coming back ready to play the same way they have been lately.
“We’ve got to be that tough team to play against, very defensively responsible and we have a lot of creativity and a lot of ability up front. With that outstanding goaltending we’ve had in the first half, I think we’ll be good.”
