By Bill Burfoot
📸 your_pictures_here (from last season)
For the first time in the 2026–27 season, the Niverville Nighthawks hit the road Friday night, travelling to Virden to open their road schedule against the Oil Capitals.
It was a return to a building that holds some special memories for the Nighthawks.
The last time Niverville stepped onto the ice in Virden, they were celebrating a championship, hoisting the Turnbull Cup after sweeping the Oil Capitals in last season’s MJHL Final.
This time around, the Oil Capitals got a measure of revenge.
Despite a strong performance from goaltender Ben Chornomydz, who stopped 34 shots, the Nighthawks were unable to find the equalizer late, falling 3–2 for their first loss of the season.
First Period
Playing for the first time in a week following their opening-night victory over the Winnipeg Monarchs, the Nighthawks had to defend early as Virden came out with a lot of energy in front of over 700 fans at Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
Virden took advantage, generating several early scoring opportunities, but Chornomydz came up with a couple of big saves to keep the game scoreless.
Those saves gave Niverville an opportunity to strike first.
The Nighthawks were awarded a power play six minutes into the period and wasted little time capitalizing.
Jaden Mah fed Marlen Edwards at the top of the right circle, where Edwards fired a one-timer toward the net. Ryker Rougeau got his stick on the shot at the top of the crease and redirected it past Virden goaltender Mickey Gross, giving Niverville a 1–0 lead on its first shot of the game just eight seconds after the power play began.
For Rougeau, it was his second goal in as many games to begin the season.
Virden had a glorious opportunity to tie things up with just under six minutes remaining in the period.
A nice passing play left Liam Goertzen wide open heading toward the Niverville net. Goertzen tried to go upstairs, but Chornomydz got a piece of the shot, sending the puck over the glass and preserving the one-goal lead.
The Oil Capitals held a 13–4 advantage in shots after 20 minutes, but Chornomydz’s strong opening period allowed Niverville to head into the intermission leading 1–0.
Second Period
Virden continued to apply pressure as the second period got underway and was rewarded with an early power play.
This time, the Oil Capitals took advantage.
Capitals captain Nathan Schaefer fired a shot from the blue line that hit a body in front and dropped near the top of the crease. Tyson Draper jumped on the loose puck and tucked it between the legs of Chornomydz, tying the game at one just three minutes into the middle frame.
Less than two minutes later, Virden had its first lead of the night.
Carson Wright centred a pass into the slot, where Christian Pitz fired a shot past Chornomydz to put the Oil Capitals ahead 2–1. Draper picked up an assist on the goal for his second point of the night.
Virden nearly extended its lead moments later while on the power play.
Dylan Mickelson went end-to-end, split the Niverville defence and broke in alone, but Chornomydz stretched out his right pad to make the save and keep the Nighthawks within one.
That save proved important.
Moments after the Niverville penalty expired, Thomas Harnett carried the puck into the Virden zone and snapped a shot that handcuffed Gross. The rebound fell to Aiden McDonald, who lifted the loose puck past the Oil Capitals goaltender to tie the game at two.
Virden, however, wasn’t finished.
Shortly after Draper stepped out of the penalty box and was denied by Chornomydz on a breakaway, a Niverville turnover in the neutral zone sent the Oil Capitals back the other way.
Draper found Wright moving toward the net, and Wright made no mistake from in close, restoring Virden’s one-goal advantage at 3–2.
Both Draper and Wright picked up their third points of the night on the goal.
The teams traded opportunities throughout the remainder of the period, but neither could find the back of the net.
Niverville outshot Virden 9–8 in the second period, but the Oil Capitals outscored the Nighthawks 3–1 to take a 3–2 lead into the final 20 minutes.
Third Period
The Oil Capitals once again came out flying to begin the third, recording the first five shots of the period.
Once again, Chornomydz was there to keep Niverville within striking distance.
With five minutes remaining, Virden had a pair of point-blank opportunities to put the game away, but the Nighthawks goaltender came up with two big saves to keep it a one-goal game and give his team a chance.
Niverville continued to push for the equalizer and received one final opportunity when they went to the power play with just under a minute remaining.
This time, however, they couldn’t find the goal they needed.
The Oil Capitals held on for the 3–2 victory, handing the Nighthawks their first loss of the 2026–27 season.
Game Stats
Ben Chornomydz was solid despite the loss, stopping 34 of the 37 shots he faced. He falls to 1–1 on the season.
Marlen Edwards picked up an assist and now has two goals and four points through the first two games of the season.
Ryker Rougeau continued his strong start, scoring his second goal in as many games.
Virden outshot Niverville 37-21.
Virden’s Tyson Draper and Carson Wright each finished with a goal and two assists.
Mickey Gross stopped 19 of 21 Niverville shots to earn his first victory of the season.
Both teams finished 1-for-4 on the power play.
Looking Ahead
The Nighthawks won’t have to wait long for an opportunity to bounce back.
Niverville will wrap up its short two-game road trip Sunday night when they head to Winnipeg to take on the Blues. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Following Sunday’s game, Niverville will begin October with three consecutive games at the CRRC.
The homestand begins October 3rd against the Winkler Flyers before the Nighthawks welcome the Winnipeg Blues on October 7th, and the Steinbach Pistons on October 9th.
