NIPAWIN, SK: The Nipawin Hawks edged the Yorkton Terriers 4-3 in a thrilling overtime clash at the Centennial Arena, with Finley Radloff netting the game-winner just 1:56 into the extra frame.
The Hawks struck early as Eric Hoiness found the back of the net, assisted by Mason Karakochuk and Konnor Watson. The Terriers responded midway through the frame when Dustin Renas fired home his 13th goal of the season, set up by Keenan Ingram and Carter Briltz.
The first period ended tied at 1-1, with Nipawin holding a slight edge in shots, 10-7.
Yorkton grabbed their first lead of the night at 6:01 of the second. Ingram continued his stellar season with his 13th goal, with Briltz and Thierry Laliberte earning helpers. The Hawks answered swiftly at 9:35 when Ashton Tait converted a feed from Aiden Bruce and Carter Anderson to make it 2-2.
David Coyle reclaimed the lead for Yorkton at 16:49 with a strong finish off assists from Jye Zawatsky and Quinn Schutte, sending the Terriers into the second intermission up 3-2.
The Hawks’ power play delivered in the third, as Van Taylor capitalized at 9:28 to level the game once again. Bruce and Conor Ryan picked up the assists on Taylor’s third goal of the season.
Despite several chances for both teams, including some tense moments during power plays, the score remained tied at the end of regulation. Nipawin outshot Yorkton 13-8 in the period.
In the sudden-death overtime, Nipawin’s persistence paid off quickly. Radloff buried a perfectly set-up play from Vito Biondo III and Will Whitter to seal the win and send the home crowd into celebration.
Ethan Farrow stopped 27 of 31 in defeat, as the Terriers will look to bounce back on the road tomorrow evening in Flin Flon.
