The Kindersley Klippers defeated the visiting Notre Dame Hounds 4-3 on Friday. This celebration followed the winning goal, scored by Keillan Olson at the eight-minute mark of the third period.
Kevin McBain
of The Clarion
The Kindersley Klippers have been red-hot in February.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team was three-for-three last week and is four-for-four this month. They defeated the La Ronge Ice Wolves 5-2 on Saturday and 2-1 in Unity last Wednesday. Sandwiched in between, they defeated the Notre Dame Hounds 3-1 on Friday.
“We’ve been pretty strong, again, since Christmas,” said coach Geoff Grimwood. “They are playing a good team game right now.”
One of the factors for success this past week was having Josh Fletcher make his return to the ice last Wednesday after being injured just 16 games into the season.
“It was great having him back. He’s a hard working player and makes everyone around him just elevate their game,” said Grimwood.
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In Saturday’s game, the Klippers scored three straight, including two on the power play, in the second half of the third to blow a tie game wide open.
Cole Plotnikoff makes a perfect pass to Tanner Thompson in Friday’s game versus the Hounds. Thompson tapped this one in easily for the team’s second goal of the game.
Zach Johnson got his second start of the season in a Klippers uniform and although not very busy, stopping 14 of 16 shots, he had a solid outing. Grimwood said he’s pleased with what he sees.
“He is a big kid and very competitive,” he said. “We are pretty excited about him.
“Closey (Justin Close) has been good as our number one but you need to have a good partner in there and Zack is doing well.”
In Friday’s win, the Klippers had to dig deep, down 3-1 going into the final frame.
Tanner Thompson ignited the comeback, scoring on a great pass from Cole Plotnikoff at the 5:13 mark of the third. This was followed up by a great shot from defenceman Blake Kleiner just 39 seconds later.
Keillan Olson scored the eventual game winner, on the power play at the eight-minute mark to get the win.
In Wednesday’s neutral site game in Unity, The Ice got on the board early in the second, after a scoreless opening period. But Cameron Shorrock added one before the end of the frame to tie things up.
Brock Shwaluk scored his first of the season and the game winner at the 9:55 point of the period to put the game away.
The Klippers have another busy week, heading out on the road for a five-game stretch. They were scheduled to take on Melville yesterday, before playing in Yorkton on Feb. 14 and 16. They will take on Melville again on Saturday, before taking on the Hounds in Wilcox on Wednesday.
“It’s a pretty busy schedule,” said Grimwood. “But I think the guys are ready for it.”
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