Firstly , I am unsure If I will be able to get adjusted to these late night bus trips back. We arrived back around 2 am , and I work on the morning show at Mix 104, so I had to wake up at 4 am. Surely am tired today but that's the way she goes, gotta keep plugging along.
Alright on the the game...
Starting with the big gunners up front...
Adamyk - Calkins - Dommett.
This was the big lines first taste of pre season action. I thought at times they showed why they could be the best line in the SJHL this season and a few times on the night, not many, a bit of rust but hey that's what preseason is for. They were in on two goals on the evening and looked deadly on the power play. Calkins scored the lines first goal on a sick feed on the PP from Adamyk in front. The lines second goal was from Dommett. The goal was a thing of beauty. It may have been just a shot from the high slot , but wow , you cant put a puck anywhere better then where he placed this one. Just a deadly wrist shot.
Down - King - Exner
The line never registered any goals but at times they were very effective. I liked the makeup of this line as you had speed on the wing with Exner , Skill and size in the middle with Kinger , and a solid all around player in Down. They worked the puck around down low on the cycle very well, and had a few big chances that didn't find the back of the net due to Klye Birch (Battlefords Goalie) playing lights out for the most part of the game.
Wasden - Benn - Taylor
These guys played pretty well I thought. They are hard on the forcheck , and contributed in some offense. Beau Taylor scored a very nice goal as he was falling to the ice. The line could end up being a line in the regular season if they all crack the squad. I think these guys together make a great checking line that can add offense but at the same go to the tough areas on the ice.
Olsen-Bosovhich-Kissick
Had a chat with Larry after about how he thought the youngsters played and he was pretty impressed, he mentioned he thought they were a bit nervous to start the came , but got more comfortable as it progressed. They certainly held their own out there and created some great scoring chances with their quickness and skill. They did get knocked off the puck on the cycle a few times against some of Battlefords huge defensemen. They are likely in tough to crack the squad with all the depth up front but they might get another shot at impressing Larry against Humbolt so we will have to wait and see.
Defense
Sonntag-Flanagan
Leedahl-Tabin
Bartel-Thiel
Right now what we seen last night was basically the defense that could start the season for the Klippers. Sonntag and Flanagan make up a great paring. Sonntag adds the size and hitting with, puck movement and Flanagan adds that long reach and quick puck movement. Flanagan looked calm and composed last night which must of been tough with a Canada scout their watching him. Leedahl looked good as usual, showing no signs of that shoulder injury he was nursing. Tabin I think is a solid partner for Leedahl. Tabin has looked pretty solid out there and from what people have been telling me he has drastically improved from last season. Thiel is an interesting one, he has a great shot at sticking with this team but he also has the option of heading back to Midget. I do think Larry will add another defensemen are possibly move a forward back to the back end to help out. I know Riley Down can easily be moved back if needed. Should be an interesting few days for Larry working the phones to bring in another dman.
Justin McDonald- He was very impressive out there last night. He made all the saves that were needed of him in the first two periods. A few bad bounces caused a couple goals , and the fourth one I think he would of liked back was the goal that decided the game. He was facing one of the SJHL's better offenses so I think he did a great job and should have confidence heading into the season.
Overall as a team the Klippers could of easily won this game. A few bad bounces costed them the W. It was just preseason and Klippers fans should have nothing to worry about heading forward. One thing Larry mentioned though was this team needs to start winning on the road.
At the momment the roster sits at 27 players. The boys have the day off but will be back on the ice tomorrow.
Should have the interview with Larry up here shortly.
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