By Bill Burfoot
📸 Brett O’Brien
Coming off an impressive victory over the MJHL-leading Virden Oil Capitals just 24 hours earlier, the Niverville Nighthawks returned to the CRRC Saturday night looking to complete a weekend sweep against the top two teams in the MGEU West Division.
Standing in their way were the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, who entered the contest sitting second in the division standings and were making their first visit to Niverville this season.
The Nighthawks were looking to build on the momentum from Friday’s 4–2 victory over Virden, a win that snapped the Oil Capitals’ 10-game winning streak.
But despite an early Niverville goal and another strong performance from goaltender Ben Chornomydz, it was the Wolverines who came away with the extra point.
Noah Oughton scored twice, including the overtime winner on the power play, as Waywayseecappo edged Niverville 2–1 in a tightly contested defensive battle.
First Period
The Nighthawks came out with plenty of energy, picking up right where they left off against Virden the night before.
And it didn’t take long for the home side to strike.
Following a faceoff win by captain Parker Rolston, Ryan Shaugabay snapped a quick shot over the glove of Wolverines goaltender Mariko Bercier to give Niverville an early 1–0 lead.
It was Shaugabay’s first goal of the season.
Waywayseecappo began to generate opportunities as the period progressed, helped by a pair of power play opportunities.
The Wolverines’ best chance with the man advantage came when Blake Farthing unloaded a one-timer from the left circle with a good portion of the net open, but caught the outside of the post.
With time winding down in the opening period, it appeared the Nighthawks would carry their one-goal advantage into the intermission but after Niverville was unable to clear its defensive zone, Treycen Wuttunee moved the puck through the slot before sliding a pass toward Oughton at the top of the crease.
Oughton got his stick on the puck and redirected it past Chornomydz with just six seconds remaining to tie the game at one.
The late goal sent the teams to their dressing rooms tied at 1, with Waywayseecappo holding a slight 6–5 advantage in shots.
Second Period
The Wolverines carried the momentum from their late first-period goal into the middle frame, controlling much of the play and keeping the Nighthawks pinned in their defensive zone.
Three Waywayseecappo power plays helped the visitors maintain pressure, and the Wolverines outshot Niverville 15–6 in the period.
After watching his team register just one shot through the opening 12 minutes, Nighthawks Head Coach Dwight Hirst called a timeout in an effort to settle his club down and the move appeared to help.
Niverville began to generate some opportunities, including a strong effort from Marlen Edwards, who carried the puck down the right side before firing a shot that Bercier turned aside.
After successfully killing off another Wolverines power play, the Nighthawks earned an opportunity with the man advantage when Tyler Bernier intercepted the puck near the Waywayseecappo blue line and battled his way toward the net before being slashed on his way in, drawing a penalty.
Niverville generated a pair of quality chances on the ensuing power play.
Edwards found himself all alone in the slot, but his one-timer was stopped by Bercier.
Moments later, Mason Chubey sent a pass from the left faceoff circle toward the crease, creating a scramble in front of the Wolverines net. The puck bounced around dangerously, but the Nighthawks were unable to find the go-ahead goal.
Despite the Wolverines controlling much of the period, Chornomydz stood tall, keeping the game tied at one heading into the third.
Third Period
With the game still tied, both clubs tightened things up defensively in the final period.
Scoring opportunities were difficult to come by, with neither team able to generate much sustained offensive pressure.
Waywayseecappo held a 6–3 advantage in shots during the third period, but Chornomydz continued his strong play between the pipes.
At the other end, Bercier was equally solid when called upon.
Neither team could break the deadlock through 60 minutes, sending the contest to overtime.
Overtime
The Wolverines generated an opportunity early in the extra period when Cale Livingston carried the puck wide against Ryker Rougeau.
Livingston managed to get around the Nighthawks forward, but Rougeau held him up just enough to draw a penalty, giving Waywayseecappo a power play.
The Wolverines made the most of the opportunity.
In a play nearly identical to their first-period goal, Wuttunee took a pass in the right circle and fired a hard pass toward Oughton at the top of the crease.
Oughton had his stick on the ice and redirected the puck past Chornomydz for his second goal of the night, giving Waywayseecappo a 2–1 overtime victory.
Despite the loss, the Nighthawks picked up a point in the standings, earning three of a possible four points against the MJHL’s top two teams over the weekend.
Game Stats
The Nighthawks had their two-game winning streak snapped with the overtime loss.
Niverville has allowed just four goals over its last three games, continuing a strong stretch of defensive play.
Ryan Shaugabay scored his first goal of the season, opening the scoring in the first period.
Ben Chornomydz stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced, keeping the Nighthawks in the game despite being outshot 28–14.
Waywayseecappo’s Noah Oughton scored his first two goals of the season after opening the campaign with nine assists.
Treycen Wuttunee assisted on both Wolverines goals, extending his point streak to four games. He has four goals and six assists for 10 points during that stretch.
Wolverines goaltender Mariko Bercier turned aside 13 of 14 Niverville shots and has now allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his nine starts this season.
Looking Ahead
The Nighthawks will have a couple of days off before heading back on the road Wednesday, October 28, when they travel to Portage la Prairie for a meeting with the Terriers.
Niverville will then return to the CRRC for a pair of home games next weekend, beginning Friday, October 30, against the Neepawa Titans.
The Nighthawks will wrap up the weekend with a Halloween rematch against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines on Saturday night.
