NIPIGON – Friday night at the Nipigon Arena the Elks had to play against the first place Northern Hawks. Both teams were playing with short benches.
Affiliated player Cary Brown opened the scoring for the Elks at the 6:03 mark of the first period. The Hawks would tie the game at the 12:19 mark with a goal from former Elk Ehren Menard. Goals by Nathan Spina and Zak Sentance would put the visitor’s up 3-1. That would be the way the first period would end. The Hawks would also out shoot the Elks 17-13.
Once again an affiliated player for Nipigon would open the scoring in the second period. This time the goal came from Jon Kranyak to bring Nipigon within one at 3-2. Adam Ryynanen would get that goal back for the Hawks and go up 4-2. Nipigon wasn’t quitting. Brandon Polhill scored the Elks third goal. The second period would end with the visiting Hawks up one at 4-3. Elk’s goalie Ryan Williams faced 29 shots in the second period. The Elks were out shot 29-16 in the second period.
For the third period in a row Nipigon would open the scoring. Jansen Swazey would get the goal for Nipigon and tie the game at 4-4. With only 8:04 left in the game Geoff Vaillant would score to put the Hawks in the lead 5-4 and that would prove to be the winning goal. The Hawks would once again out shoot Nipigon 19-11 for a game total of 65-40.
The Elks next game is Sunday night at the Delaney arena when they will be playing against the Screaming Eagles. The Elks next home game is Friday March 4th against the Junior Stars at 7:30pm and that will be the last game of the regular season.
Playoffs will start Tuesday March 8th.