Kevin McBain
of The Clarion
The Kindersley Junior Klippers had a light Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League schedule last week, just playing on Tuesday in Humboldt against the Broncos.
It was almost like a World Series game, with a couple of momentum swings. You never knew which way it was going to go.
The Klipper’s Austin Nault, Tyler Traptow and Eddie May scored three unanswered goals in the first period and team had a 3-0 lead closing out the first frame.
However, things can change very rapidly – that momentum switch.
The Broncos came out firing in the second and scored five straight in just four minutes and two seconds – starting at the 11:25 mark of the period – to take a two-goal lead.
The Klippers were outshot in the period 19-5.
In the third, the Broncos added one more to make it 6-3, before Jordan Funk replied just past the midway mark of the period to make it 6-4.
The Broncos would add a late empty-net goal to make the final 7-4.
The Klippers were outshot 55-31. Billy Girard and Justen Close shared the goaltending duties for the club.
“It was disappointing for sure,” said coach Geoff Grimwood. “We started off well but in the second, the tide turned against us. Larry and I were looking at each other on the bench and we were think that they couldn’t score another goal and they just kept doing it.”
The Broncos now have a 10-6-1 record, tied for first with Battlefords (10-0-1) and the Klippers dropped to 7-5-2 on the season.
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The Klippers were scheduled to host the Battlefords last night and again this Saturday. They will be back in Humboldt for a rematch against the Broncos next Tuesday.
“We have a gauntlet of tough games going ahead. We are in such a tight division,” said Grimwood. “We have the Battlefords first. They are a tough team and we are going to have to find a way to get a win.
Klippers notes
Members of the team were in Calgary on Saturday to support their teammate, Josh Fletcher, and his family during his father’s funeral.
“We had the opportunity to go and support Josh and his family,” said Grimwood. “It was just a couple of weeks ago that his parents were here for the parents weekend and we got to meet him.
“I was very proud of how our team responded and even the people from the community that showed their support,” he added. “It was good for them to go, but an experience that they hopefully won’t have to go through again.”
Josh was not expected to be in the lineup for last night’s game and Grimwood said that he will take as much time as is needed to be with his family.
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