The Hawks pulled out a win Wednesday night at Nipawin's Centennial Arena to keep their postseason alive and force a Game 5, as the series will now shift locations, back to the Battlefords Friday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Heading back home

Hawks stave off elimination, top Stars 6-3 to force Game 5

Mar 12, 2020 | 1:01 AM

Leading their first round best-of-seven series with the Nipawin Hawks 3-0 heading into Game 4, the Battlefords North Stars knew Wednesday night at Centennial Arena would be their toughest challenge yet.

As expected, Nipawin brought a gutsy performance with their backs against the wall, topping the Stars 6-3 to hold off potential elimination, and force a Game 5 Friday night at the NB Civic Centre.

Six different players scored for the Hawks as Caden Benson, Carson Dobson, Jordan Simoneau, Jeremy Bisson, Brodie Girod and Riley Bruce cashed in with a tally each, while 20-year-old goalie Dalton Dosch stopped 34-of-37 Stars’ shots to earn the win in his first start of the series.

Dylan McCabe, Seth Summers and Rylan Nivon scored for the Battlefords on the night, while Kristian Lyon made 21 saves on 26 Hawks’ shots.

For the first time in the series Nipawin opened the scoring, courtesy of a Benson tip-play in front, to make it 1-0 Hawks early in the second period.

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McCabe’s first of the playoffs tied the game for the Stars, making it 1-1 just under three minutes later, on a shot from the point through traffic.

Keeping the goals coming in droves, Dobson then reestablished the Hawks lead at 2-1 just three minutes after that, following the equalizer.

Summers’ second of the playoffs, and second in as many nights, again knotted the score 2-2 with just over a minute to go in the second frame. The goal made it a tie contest heading into the second intermission.

In the third, Nipawin pulled away with three straight, as Simoneau, Bisson and Girod’s goals came consecutively in the period to build Nipawin a 5-2 lead.

Nivon struck late for his first on a deft touch in front to make it 5-3, but ultimately Bruce’s empty netter served as the cutoff to any comeback attempt, making it 6-3 Hawks, the final.

Both teams will now get a day off to rest and regroup, before returning to action for Game 5 Friday night at the North Battleford Civic Centre.

Friday’s game will be broadcast on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB and CJNB.ca. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

No scoring

Second period:

2:41 NIP Caden Benson (1) ASST: Burke Simpson (3), Luke Penner (1)

5:21 BAT Dylan McCabe (1) ASST: None

8:16 NIP Carson Dobson (1) ASST: Burke Simpson (4), Caden Benson (2)

18:42 BAT Seth Summers (2) ASST: Ben Hiltz (4), Ryland McNinch (2)

Third period:

1:58 NIP Jordan Simoneau (1) ASST: Dawson McKenzie (1), Jack Lenchyshyn (1)

14:03 NIP Jeremy Bison (1) ASST: None

15:27 NIP Brodie Girod (2) ASST: Dawson McKenzie (2), Davis Chorney (2)

17:16 BAT Rylan Nivon (1) ASST: Ryland McNinch (3)

18:51 NIP Riley Bruce (2) ASST: None (EN)

6-3 Hawks, the final.

North Stars playoff schedule, Round 1 vs. Nipawin Hawks:

Game #1: Stars win 3-0; lead series 1-0

Game #2: Stars win 6-2; lead series 2-0

Game #3: Stars win 4-2; lead series 3-0

Game #4 Hawks win 6-3; Stars lead series 3-1

Game #5 Friday, March 13 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*Game #6 Sunday, March 15 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

*Game #7 Tuesday, March 17 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*indicates if needed.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1