Calkins , Cahill , Get Weekly Nods !

Two Klipper playes have recieved big nods this week. One being Johnny Calkins who has been named the SJHL player of the week and Sean Cahill , the SJHL goaltender of the week. Congrats to both players.

I will likely have to push Ullsys Mid Point Season Awards tell tomorrow. Crazy busy at the station today with people on holidays and such.

Here is the SJHL press release.....

The SJHL has reached the Christmas break with the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Yorkton Terriers leading their respective conferences. However, as the league breaks until December 30, the story is the Kindersley Klippers. The team relieved Larry Wintoneak of his coaching duties December 13, and since Rockie Zinger took over, the team has done nothing but rack up win after win. Kindersley goes into the break on a six game winning streak with four of those wins coming since Zinger took over head coaching duties. The streak has the Klippers in 2^nd in the Sherwood Conference—three up on Weyburn and four ahead of the 4^th place Estevan Bruins.

While the Klippers are tearing it up in the Sherwood Conference, the Nipawin Hawks are doing what they can to try and make the playoffs. Its been a while since the Hawks reached the playoffs and they have languished in last place in the Bauer Conference for much of this season, but they have gotten their act together since the Showcase. Nipawin had a 5 game win streak snapped Saturday night in the Battlefords, but they got right back onto the winning side of things Sunday when they beat first place La Ronge 3-2 in a neutral site game at Prince Albert’s Art Hauser Centre. Nipawin’s 17 year old goalie Stephen Klein stole the show in that game as he stopped over 50 shots to record the “W”.

The Weyburn Red Wings have been up and down all season, and they go into the break on an up having won their last two including a 2-1 win this past Saturday over Yorkton. That victory also put an end to a nine game Yorkton win streak which was the longest in the SJHL this season. Legendary Weyburn coach Dwight McMillan will be a part of CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada. Hockey Night in Canada’s Kelly Hrudey was in Weyburn this past week to do a feature on McMillan that will run February 11 when Hockey Night does its annual showcase of the game across the country. Its not when exactly the feature on McMillan will air.

SHERWOOD PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Johnny Calkins (Kindersley)

The Klippers have turned their game around over the past couple of weeks. One of the reasons whdy is the play of Johnny Calkins. The 1990 born forward from Kyle, SK has scored six goals in his last five games—all Klipper victories. He goes into the Christmas break leading the Klippers in scoring with 55 points which is tied for 5^th in the league.

SHERWOOD DEFENCEMAN OF THE WEEK – Blaine Tendler (Yorkton)

The Terriers arguably have the deepest talent in the SJHL. Defensively, they are led by the 20 year old Tendler. The Viceroy, SK product is not only tough to beat in his own end, but he is averaging almost a point a game having registered 32 points in 35 games.

SHERWOOD GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK – Sean Cahill (Kindersley)

The Klippers have gone through many goaltenders this year as they try and replace Josh Thorimbert. They may have finally found one in Cahill. The 20 year old from Calgary was in goal for three of Kindersley’s four victories this past week and is 6-1 since arriving from the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

POWER RANKINGS

1.       Yorkton Terriers – The Terriers continue to show that they have what it takes to get back to the SJHL final and perhaps the RBC Cup. It will be interesting to see if Yorkton has anything up their sleeve when the January 10 deadline hits as they are already a very good hockey team.

2.       La Ronge Ice Wolves – The line of Carre, Lindensmith and Eggum continues on as one of the best lines in all of Canadian Junior “A” hockey. Carre goes into the break riding an 18 game point scoring streak.

3.       Kindersley Klippers – When Larry Wintoneak was let go, the players said there are no more excuses now. They don’t have to apologize to anyone for the way they are playing at this moment as they are playing their best hockey of the year

4.       Melfort Mustangs – Darrell Mann’s acquisition of four year WHL vet Brendon Wall makes an already good team that much better. The Mustangs are a serious title contender and after what Mann did December 1, it will be interesting to see what he does January 10.

5.       Estevan Bruins – Karry Biette said the club could get rid of him if he wasn’t in the top 3 by Christmas. A loss Saturday dropped his team to 4^th in the Sherwood, but I don’t think Biette has to worry about cleaning out his office anytime soon.

6.       Weyburn Red Wings – Mitch Kilgore is providing the goaltending and the defence has been strong too. If Weyburn can start scoring a little more, they will have something to say about who does what in the Sherwood before the season is over.

7.       Flin Flon Bombers – The Bombers were the hottest team in the league going into the Showcase, but they are now the coldest. The break comes at the right time for Mike Reagan’s crew.

8.       Humboldt Broncos – Does Dean Brockman ask Santa what he should do with his Broncos as the January 10 deadline approaches? Brockman can certainly get some talent back for an RBC run next year when hosting, but he also has a team that while struggling recently could get to the RBC this year.

9.       Battlefords Stars – Ken Pearson’s crew is doing its best to try and catch 4^th place Flin Flon while holding off last place Nipawin. The Stars still need to tighten it up a bit defensively, but they are improving.

10.   Nipawin Hawks – If the Hawks ever had any questions about their goaltending after Brody Hoffman leaves, Stephen Klein has answered them with an exclamation mark.

11.   Melville Millionaires –Like the Bombers, the Millionaires are cold going into the Christmas break. They need some time off to re-group.

12.   Notre Dame Hounds – Dear Santa, can the Hounds be given one or two solid goal scorers?