Ty Dilello – Niverville Citizen
The Niverville Nighthawks have won their third straight game with a 4–0 thrashing of the OCN Blizzard on Tuesday evening at the Seven Oaks Sportsplex in Winnipeg. They remain in third place in the MJHL’s East Division with a record of 9–3–1.
The three-day MJHL Showcase features all 13 teams playing two games apiece. These games take place in front of an array of scouts, coaches, and managers to showcase the talent the league has to offer.
After a scoreless first period, Nighthawks captain Brett Tataryn opened the scoring late in the second period. In the third period, Niverville then pulled away with a trio of goals, two of them coming from Tataryn to give him the hat trick.
Ty Kennett had the other Nighthawks goal.
After losing to OCN in the team’s two previous encounters this season, this win was extra sweet for head coach Kelvin Cech.
“We started moving the puck really well, and we’re managing it pretty well despite having played four games in five nights,” said Cech. “And generally, we played the right way. It was an even game until Tataryn scored the first goal, and then in the third period we kept doing the right things out there and got rewarded.”
Tataryn’s hat trick now gives him 12 points in 13 games to start the 2023–24 season.
“He’s the heart and soul of our team,” said Cech. “He works so hard, and his habits are really good. He’s smiling a lot and having a lot of fun this year. Brett came in as a centreman last year, and this year, the way the lines worked out, we asked him to play on the left wing. Ever since he moved to the wing, his game has taken off. He’s scoring points and winning battles on our blueline. So I think he just embraced the move and is getting rewarded for it on the score sheet.”
Raiden LeGall was also a star once again in the Nighthawks goal, making 30 saves for his first shutout with the club.
“Raiden was excellent again. OCN is a good team that’s fast and had a lot of second chances tonight, and Raiden was able to see through the bodies to stop the first shot, and then he made the second saves as well.”
The Nighthawks are back in action with a home game at the CRRC against the Winnipeg Freeze on Friday night. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m.