Fletcher leads Klippers to emotional win over league’s top team

Kevin McBain
of The Clarion

The Jr. Klippers earned a big, hard-working win over the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s best team, the Melfort Mustangs, on Saturday.

The 3-2 home victory was very emotional for the team.

“We were playing with heavy hearts,” said assistant coach Larry Wintoneak. “Josh Fletcher’s father passed away on Friday. We had a team meeting and he wanted to stay and play. His family also felt that he should stay.

“We respected his wishes,” he adds. “It distracted him from the situation. We played for him, No. 18 and his family.”

Fletcher came up big, assisting on Kyle Bosch’s first goal of the game and scoring in the second period to make the score 2-0. Then he scored the game winner at 15:33 of the third period after the Mustangs came back to tie it up with two straight earlier in the period.

“When he scored that first goal, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the building, for those that knew,” said Wintoneak. “I don’t think you could have written it up any better.”

[emember_protected for=”2″ custom_msg=’For more on this story, please see the Oct. 25 print edition of The Clarion.’]

Wintoneak said that Fletcher left to be with his family and his Klipper family will join him Friday in Calgary to support him and his family during the funeral.

Wintoneak said that, overall, the team played pretty well.

“I thought we played well especially in the neutral zone. We clogged it up pretty good and we were forcing them to dump it in,” he said. “We did have a few hiccups but it didn’t hurt us in the end.”

Justen Close had a stellar game, stopping 33 of 35 shots.

The penalty killing units also did well, not allowing a goal in seven chances that were offered to the Mustangs, who are number one in the league on the power play.

“They are a good team and they are number one in the league. They move the puck well and they are definitely a team to reckon with,” said Wintoneak.

On Wednesday, the Klippers lost 2-1 in overtime in Humboldt.

Fletcher again was on the score sheet, scoring the tying goal in the third period on the power play and sending the game into overtime.

Wintoneak said that the team got off to a slow start in this one.

“We were on our heels a bit in this one,” he said. “We had three days off prior to this, then we had to hit the road.

“Then we had six straight penalties called on us in the first period alone. Sometimes the hockey gods just don’t line things up the way you want them.

“I didn’t think we played that bad but it was just hard to get things in sync,” he added. “We were able to hang in there and score the tying goal to send it into overtime and get a point out of it anyway.”

Close had another solid game, stopping 32 of 34 shots.

Wintoneak says overall, during the week, they were pretty happy.

“We were pretty happy with how things transpired. We ’re getting better in our own end, clearing away shots and not letting the other team get those second and third chances,” he said. “We’re starting to gain more and more confidence each time out.”

They’re also continuing to improve on special teams.

“They are very important,” said Wintoneak. “These units are playing well and are willing to do whatever it takes. It takes a team effort and they are pulling together.”

This week, the Klippers only had one game, yesterday, in Humboldt. They will next play on Oct. 31 in Kindersley.

Wintoneak says that the team is working hard towards making gains.

“We’re looking to improve every day on and off the ice. It’s the little things, like discipline, nutrition and rest … it is all so important,” he says.

“It is a process. We’re talking about the playoffs already. It may seem strange to talk about it already, but again it’s about repetition and continuously improving. When you make the playoffs, you can’t just turn on a switch and go play better hockey. You have to keep working hard and doing the little things that will lead you on the path to success,” added Wintoneak.

“A team will have ups and downs during the season, but it’s how you react and learn from the situations that come your way.”

Klipper notes

• Josh Fletcher, 1998-born, had a great week, scoring three goals and chipping in one assist in the Klippers’ two games. he has four goals and five assists in the 12 games he’s played so far. He was named the Canalta Hotels SJHL Player of the Week.

• Klipper goaltender Justen Close was a runnerup for the SJHL Goaltender of the Week.

[/emember_protected]

© Kindersley Clarion