Friday night hosting Weyburn
The Kindersley Klippers returned to the ice Friday night in game action for the first time since December 20th. They played host to the Weyburn Red Wings and would fall by a score of 4-2. Kindersley had the longest break of any team in the SJHL and you might have expected them to come out slow off the hop but that wasn't the case. Kindersley actually looked as good as I have seen them all season long in the opening ten or so minutes of Friday nights. Justin Lund gave Kindersley an early 1 goal lead and things were looking pretty as all four lines had a couple of very solid opening shift creating all kinds of chances. The unfortunate thing for Kindersley was in that flurry of chances they were only able to generate one goal and they could of used another marker against a strong Weyburn team. Weyburn got through the early Kindersley storm and started to play their game as they would cash 2 goals before the period was over to take a 2-1 lead into the break. The second period was not so good for Kindersley as they really had no jump at all and Weyburn would make them pay adding one more goal from Jesse Ross to take a 3-1 lead into the 2nd intermission. In the third we seen glimpses of that team we had seen early in the 1st period as Kindersley came on very strong late in the contest. They were down 4-1 but a point shot from young Jeremy Leclerc would find mesh to make it 4-2 and give Kindersley some life. 1st off that was a special moment for the Saskatoon product as it was his 1st SJHL goal. He had a great night all around and would earn the games 2nd star. Kindersley had a number of high quality scoring chances late in the period but Mitch Kilgore would stand his ground to cap off a 4-2 Weyburn victory.
- Overall it wasn't a bad game from Kindersley, they showed glimpse of being a good hockey team but were unable to put it together for 60 full minutes.
- The game also marked the return of Klippers forward Taylor Wasden who had missed 8 games due to a concussion. I thought Wasden had a ton of jump on the night and was one of the better Klipper forwards all around. He threw some nice checks, was skating great and had a few solid scoring chances.
Saturday night hosting Yorkton
This was by far the worst game performance by the Kindersley Klippers all season. We know Kindersley has struggled this year but for the most part they have been in almost every contest tell the end. That was certainly not the case Saturday as the game was all but over in the opening few minutes. 47 seconds into the game Zak Majkowski would walk in and wire one over top the glove of Justin McDonald on the games opening shot to give Yorkton a 1-0 lead. 1:13 later, Yorkton would make it 2-0 on a rebound out in from that was knocked home by Jeremy Johnson. 2:07 later it was Majkowski again for Yorkton capping off a beautiful pass from Devon McMullen to make it 3 nothing Yorkton under 5 minutes into the period. Justin McDonald was in net for Kindersley and allowed 3 goals on 4 shots. Clearly the goalie needs to be better in a situation like that, but Kindersley as a team was not ready to play Saturday night. Sam Rockwell would add one late in the period for his 1st ever SJHL marker to make it 4-0 Yorkton. The game was all but sealed up after 20 minutes as Kindersley showed no jump back the rest of the way through. There was really nothing positive in the game for Kindersley and it was easily their most lackluster performance of the season. This really surprised me due to the fact that the trade deadline is on January 10th and this was the last game for Kindersley before the deadline. I know the Klippers are in a rebuild and some of the rookies likely think they wont be shipped out, but anything could happen before the deadline officially passes.
- I know that Rockie Zinger was not a happy camper with the way his team played. He called them back to the rink early Sunday morning where the players were treated to a vigorous off ice session.
- The only positive for Kindersley over the weekend was that Notre Dame lost both of their games, meaning Kindersley remains 8 points back of the Hounds for the final Sherwood playoff spot. Both clubs have 17 games remaining on the season.
- In terms of the trade deadline, I do expect Kindersley to be some what busy. It sounds like one deal is close to being completed.
- Below is an interview after last nights game with head coach Rockie Zinger. He addresses his teams performance and gives us a bit of insight on the upcoming trade deadline.
That's all I have for now, check back tomorrow for the latest on the trade front.
Rockie Zinger Weekend Wrap
Rockie says some of his players were scared on Saturday night against Yorkton. I hate to be the first to suggest it, but they are his players he picked them, and he traded for them.
ReplyDeleteIf he thinks that! it must be because he doesn't have an eye for the right kind of SJHL player.
If that really is the case he should be man enough to say it and stand down as head coach.