LA RONGE, SK — The La Ronge Ice Wolves nearly pulled off a dramatic third-period comeback on Tuesday night at the JRMCC, but the push came just seconds short in a 3–2 loss to the visiting Nipawin Hawks.
In a game loaded with penalties, momentum swings, and a huge battle between two hot goaltenders, La Ronge saved its best for the final twenty — outshooting Nipawin 16–14 in the third and scoring twice in the final two minutes to give the hometown crowd of 536 every reason to cheer.
The opening period belonged to Nipawin’s power play. With the Ice Wolves shorthanded early, Mason Karakochuk struck at 8:03 to make it 1–0. Five minutes later, Tiernan Ryan finished off a clean passing sequence to stretch the lead to 2–0. La Ronge generated 15 shots in the frame but Hawks goaltender Colten Scott was sharp from the start.
The Wolves pressed again in the second, pouring another 14 shots at Scott, but Nipawin added to their lead late in the period. Will Whitter found space in front and made it 3–0 with 23 seconds left in the frame.
The Wolves refused to go quietly.
After killing off multiple penalties in a heated, whistle-filled period, La Ronge finally broke Scott’s shutout at 18:11. Trevor Oishi wired home his seventh of the season to ignite the JRMCC.
Just 62 seconds later, with pressure mounted and the net empty, Jacob Morrison found a loose puck in traffic and snapped home his second of the year. Waylon Gardipy earned the assist, and the Wolves were within one with 47 seconds left.
La Ronge nearly tied it moments later as the puck bounced dangerously through the crease, but Nipawin held on as time expired.
Graham Brown turned aside 45 of 48 shots he faced. Nipawin’s Scott posted a 42-save performance.
La Ronge’s penalty kill went 7-for-8.
Photo Credit: Lyons Photography
