Photo: Kalee Haasbeek
WINNIPEG, MB – Austin Dubinsky made 24 saves while Adam Vigfusson’s 5th goal of the postseason lifted the Niverville Nighthawks to a 2-1 win over the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in game one of their best-of-seven semi-final series.
Nighthawks 2 Wolverines 1 | Nighthawks lead best-of-seven series 1-0
Austin Dubinsky and Jase Wareham would make a number of key saves in the 1st period to keep the game scoreless heading into the 2nd with the shot clock sitting 9-8 in favour of the Nighthawks.
It didn’t take long for the Nighthawks to strike in the 2nd when Merik Boles found MJHL scoring champ, Hayden Wheddon in the slot. Wheddon took the feed from Boles and fired the puck into the top corner to give Niverville the first lead of the series.
Merik Boles (05’) to Hayden Wheddon (05’) to the back of the net as the @MJHLNighthawks open the scoring in game one! 🎥 Jack Flower@McMunnandYates #TurnbullCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4vqHng4f9d
— MJHL (@mjhlhockey) April 3, 2026
The Wolverines would jump back into the game when Noah Oughton’s shot from the half-wall would beat Dubinsky up high to tie the game at 1-1 just 2:02 into the 3rd. Just over five minutes after the Wolverines tied it, Adam Vigfusson would put home a rebound at the mouth of the net after a nice net drive from Loik Leduc would help give Niverville a 2-1 lead.
Adam Vigfusson (05’) jumps on a rebound for the @MJHLNighthawks game one, game winning goal over the Wolverines! 🚨
@McMunnandYates #TurnbullCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3x9tvSuZ5G— MJHL (@mjhlhockey) April 3, 2026
Waywayseecappo would pull Wareham for the extra attacker but that’s as close as they would get with Dubinsky and the Nighthawks closing the door to take game one, 2-1. Jase Wareham was outstanding in the Wolverines loss, turning aside 34 of 36 shots.
Game two is set for Saturday night in Waywayseecappo with puck drop at 7:30.
