Before we tee tonights game up I must say I was very impressed by the way the Weyburn Red Wings played in game number four. I didnt get to a recap yesterday because I felt awful all day yesterday. Thought I might of been getting the flu but it was just lack of sleep. We returned back to Kindersley at around 4:30 AM and then basically went right into work for the morning show
As for the game despite the early storm that Kindersley threw at the Wings which forced Mitch Kilgore to make some big saves the Wings were the more effective team all night long and deserved the win. They played a desperate style of hockey with their backs to the wall and alot of players stepped up their games big time, their go to guys especially, who had been anything but that thus far this series up to that point. Players like Geroge, S. Kirkham, McCall were all great in game number four. One player I was mainly impressed with though was Drew George. George's style of play had been ineffective in three games in this series but in game four he added some grittiness, and was going to the tough areas. He scored a goal crashing the net getting that dusty goal rather than the pretty one he is more accustomed to. With your season on the line you are likely going to see that extra push from players and Weyburn definitely played their A game in game number four.
As for Kindersley, I felt they might have been too over confident, thinking they were just going to walk in to the Crescent Point Place and sweep the series with ease. Now not to dis credit Kindersleys effort, they had a ton of chances, but they needed to bare down. I don't know if it was the ice or not but pucks that were placed on the tape time after time were just bouncing off Klipper sticks and it caused them some trouble getting anything going on the rush. As for Sean Cahill he didn't have his best game but the rare occurnces that he has had an off night this season he has bounced right back. Sean was very good on home ice in game one and two and he will need to be again tonight.
I am expecting a great effort from the Klippers tonight. They now know that the fourth win is the hardest to get in a best of seven series and I expect them to play with some desperation to. In terms of suspensions both teams will get a big boost tonight with Riley Down, Lucas Ulmer and TJ Wees returning to their respected teams.
For the Klippers getting Riley Down back is going to be a huge boost. Downer was playing his best hockey of the season prior to the suspension. Down and Wasden together on the wings looked great through two games. Both flourish together in a playoff style of game and I expect the same from those two tonight when they are re united.
For the Wings they get their sandpaper back in Lucas Ulmer, and also get their number one defenseman back. A huge boost for the Wings although in my mind I do not think Wees should be back just yet, especially with Mysiorek likely still on the self for Kindersley. Wees though who will likely be public enemy number one tonight at the WCEC, automatically makes the Wings a much better hockey club. He is a very solid dman that can do it all.
Both teams have had their share of injuries and flu bugs throughout the series. We may see some of those players back in the mix after a full day off yesterday. At this time nothing will be confirmed until the lineups are printed and handed out. Both teams are being very secretive with injury updates as expected in the playoffs. I will keep you updated on the twitter feed before game time of the injury situations.
Another key for the Klippers tonight in closing off the series will be to get traffic in front of Mitch Killgore. In this series Mitch has almost been unbeatable. It will take a perfectly placed shot or a ton of garbage out in front to beat him. Kevin Edgerton stated after the game four loss that he wants to see the Klippers get their shot totals back in the fifty range, so you can expect a ton of shots with a ton of bodies crashing the net tonight.
As for the fans I am expecting a lot of security and potentially seeing the area behind the Weyburn and Klippers bench closed off. The barn will likely be packed as it was in game one and two, especially with the chance of the Klippers closing off the series. Cheer loud and proud but act respectable. No need for another game two occurrence.
Won't get to much more in depth on the pre game notes as I have a broadcast to prepare for. Webcast with play by play will kick off at 7:10 ish. Whenever Rockie Zinger makes his way up to the booth for the pre game show.
Webcast Link http://www.livesportsvideo.com/golive/goliveevents.asp?q=KindersleyKlippers
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