By: Clarence Braun – The Niverville Citizen
The Niverville Nighthawks hosted their first ever preseason game on Labour Day Monday, going up against the Steinbach Pistons at the CRRC in Niverville.
The game was a close-knit affair, ending with a 3–2 win for the Nighthawks.
This was the first preseason game for the Pistons and second for the Nighthawks, who had previously lost 3–2 in a Wednesday night tilt in Souris to the Weyburn Red Wings from the SJHL.
The Nighthawks opened the scoring in the first period and the Pistons responded with a quick goal. The score remained tied at the end of the first period.
The Nighthawks then struck for their second goal in the second period, and once again the Pistons replied with a quick goal. The score was tied entering the third frame.
The only goal of the third period was scored by the Nighthawks, and it turned out to be the eventual game-winner.
After the game, Nighthawks head coach Kelvin Cech noted that both teams started the game with good legs and a solid forecheck. He added that the second was a tightly contested period with both teams having tightened up defensively.
Cech commented that, this being very early in the preseason, both teams played a hard and highly contested game.
In the third period, however, the Nighthawks seemed to carry more of the play. Though both teams had some solid scoring opportunities, the Nighthawks proved more than able to withstand the Pistons’ forecheck and come out with the victory.
The next Nighthawks preseason game will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7 at the CRRC.