Two Manitoba Junior Hockey League clubs made their Turnbull Cup semifinal debuts last week with Interlake representation on both sides of the best-of-seven series.
The top-ranked Niverville Nighthawks — led by forwards Hayden Wheddon (Stonewall), Adam Vigfusson (Gimli) and Dawson Zeller (St. Andrews) — are tied 1-1 in their series with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines following Games 1 and 2. The Wolverines also feature strong Interlake representation, including Noah Oughton (St. Laurent), Blake Farthing (Stonewall) and Ryder Kirk (Stonewall).
Thursday’s Game 1 featured goals scored solely by Interlake’s own with Wheddon and Oughton burying for their respective teams before Vigfusson tallied the game winner for Niverville at 7:46 of the third period.
His fifth of the postseason stood as the final goal for either side, as the Nighthawks claimed a 2-1 victory in front of 852 at Niverville CRRC.
Nighthawks goaltender Austin Dubinsky finished with 24 saves in the series opener while Wayway’s Jase Wareham turned aside 34.
Teams then headed west for Waywayseecappo Arena Complex on Saturday where the Wolverines drew even with a 3-1 victory in front of 888.
A scoreless first led into a second period with goals by Wayway’s Dylan Duzan and Niverville’s Kole Mears to tie things at one.
The Wolverines regained the lead just over five minutes into the third when Dylan Hebert supplied them with the eventual game-winning goal.
His first of the playoffs was followed up later on by Sebastien Hicks scoring at 19:13 of the third to seal Wayway’s first win of the series.
Wareham finished with 27 in the Wayway crease while Dubinsky totalled 23 on the Niverville side.
The clubs now enter a new week that will include Game 3 through a potential Game 6, with action continuing to flip-flop between arenas.
The Virden Oil Capitals hold a 2-0 series lead over the Steinbach Pistons in the other semifinal series.
Upcoming games:
• Game 3: Monday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. at Niverville CRRC
• Game 4: Wednesday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. at Waywayseecappo Arena Complex
• Game 5: Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. at Niverville CRRC
• Game 6: Sunday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. at Waywayseecappo Arena Complex*
• Game 7: Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. at Niverville CRRC*
*If necessary
