Klippers 3 Hawks 2
Well what a way to open up a six game home stand.
The Klippers definitely would of liked to have scored a few more goals and not have to win it in a shoot out but overall they played very well tonight. A win like that should be something to build on for this hockey club.
The Klippers had a ton of chances offensively. Brody Hoffman stood on his head in this hockey game. He made a ton of huge saves on high quality scoring chances. The Klippers fired 45 shots on goal and some might still be concerned with the Klippers not being able to capitalize. Sure you gotta be a bit concerned but it wasn't like the Klippers were firing shots right at Hoffman. Hoffman was just making huge saves to keep his team in it. I really think this offense is going to heat up once again here very shortly. Two players that are also starting to be big threats offensively are Ryan Benn and D Jay McGrath. First on Benn he has really found his game in the past few contests. He is the type of player you win hockey games with. He plays great defense and is starting to look deadly offensively. On D Jay McGrath, he is really starting to find his game here in the SJHL. It's a huge adjustment going from the WHL to the SJHL. He had a great game tonight and created a ton of scoring chances. This kid is only 18 and is getting better and more comfortable every game. The sky is the limit for D Jay in the SJHL.
On the other side of the ice the Klippers played very sound defensively tonight , which was a great sign after struggling the way they have in the back end the past few games. The defense really held Nipawin to minimal chances. There were a couple giveaways that lead to both Nipawin goals , but overall those were really the only two glaring mistakes in the back end. It was unfortunate that Nipawin would capitalize on both those mistakes.
Here is my 3 stars of the game...
1. Taylor Duzan - Just a force all night long. Scored both of his goals short handed aswell. Duzan has been a bit streaky the past bit on the road , but on home ice this kid does nothing but score. Tonight was his second straight 2 goal game at home and he also scored the shootout winner. What a shot by the way by Duzan in the shootout. Just riffled it shelf. Look for him to continue his scoring ways with the next 5 games at home.
2. Dustin Nickel - His first start as a Kindersley Klipper and he was fantastic. He didn't face a ton of shots , but when he was tested he made some huge saves. Rockie Zinger was not lieing when he said he was very good down low. Not only can he slide side to side great , but he can also do the splits lightning quick to cover the entire bottom of the net. Very tough to beat him down low. Should also mention he made all 3 stops in the Shoot Out and 2 of them were beauty's.
3.Brody Hoffman - Was great all night for the Hawks in net like I mentioned above.
I gotta give Lance Tabin an honorable mention tonight. I know he got tossed from the game for two fights, but for good reason. First he was really solid defensively in the time he was in the game tonight. Secondly you gotta give him props for sticking up for his teammates. He is the kind of guy you love to have on your team.
Overall it was huge for the Klippers to get momentum with a win at home to open up their home stand. This home stand could very well turn their season back around.
Here is Rockie Zinger and Dustin Nickel after tonight's 3-2 shootout win.
Rockie Zinger
Dustin Nickel
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