Kevin McBain
of The Clarion
The Kindersley Klippers hit the road last week for four games in five nights and things didn’t go so well, despite a shutout win in their opener.
Last Wednesday, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team earned a 3-0 shutout win over the Notre Dame Hounds with Justen Close stopping all 30 shots he faced.
The following night, however, the Hounds earned the shutout win, 5-0.
Then it was off to Weyburn for games Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the Red Wings earned a 4-1 win.
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On Saturday, the game was a little closer, but the wheels fell off for the Klippers in the second, when they allowed the Red Wings to score four unanswered and pick up a 4-3 win.
Head coach Geoff Grimwood was back on the bench Wednesday after serving as a guest coach at the Team Canada West Camp in Calgary for the first part of December
He said it wasn’t a good trip.
“Of course, it was a little disappointing,’ he said.
Against Notre Dame last Tuesday, Cameron Shorrock, Tanner Thompson and Eddie May scored.
The next night, it was all Notre Dame, scoring four in the first period and those goals included two shorthanded and one power-play marker.
“Any time you play back-to-back it’s hard to maintain that high level of play,” said Grimwood. “And we came out flat.”
Then it was off to Weyburn, a team that the Klippers beat all three previous meetings this season.
But that streak was stopped. On Friday, the Red Wings outshot the Klippers 41-19. Again, special teams played a factor, as the Red Wings would score two of four on the power-play.
Brody Ryberg was the lone scorer for the Klippers.
Billy Girard got the nod in net and did well to hold the fort and give the Klippers a chance for the win.
The next night, things were a little more even, but the Klippers let down their guard in the second and the Red Wings took advantage, scoring four straight.
Scoring for the Klippers were Austin Nault, Ryberg and Eddie May.
The Klippers get a dose of home cooking this week as they head into the Christmas break with five games in eight days. They were scheduled to host Humboldt last night and will host Nipawin tonight. On Saturday, they host Melfort and on Monday and Tuesday, they host Flin Flon.
The Klippers have been very strong at home this season, sporting a 9-1-1-1 record. They are 4-9-1-1 on the road.
Notes
• Tonight is teddy bear toss night. Bring your new, unwrapped stuffed animal to the game and it will go to a child in need this Christmas.
• And don’t forget to pick up your 50/50 ticket. The early bird draw is Dec. 19 and you could score some Edmonton Oilers tickets. Draw will be made during the second intermission. The main draw takes place Feb. 24. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold at $100 each. Pick them up from any board member, player, at the Klippers booth or by calling 306-430-8011.
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