Interesting tidbit to start the day...

This has nothing to do with the Klippers, but it is related to the blog, in a way.

Since I started the blog in late August, I've been getting semi-regular visits from someone in the Netherlands Antilles, a tiny group of islands just off the coast of Venezuela. Not sure who it is (feel free to leave a comment) but I found it interesting.

I knew the place existed, but I never really heard anything about it in the news. Until now.

I saw this from the BBC this morning:

"The Dutch Caribbean dependency the Netherlands Antilles has ceased to exist with a change of the five islands' constitutional status.

Curacao and St Maarten have become autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, joining Aruba, which gained the status in 1986.

Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba are now autonomous special municipalities of the kingdom.

The Netherlands retains responsibility for defence and foreign policy."

Sorry for the diversion. I'm an international politics junkie and I have to let that side of me out every now and then.

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A few photos from practice today. Down, King, Wasden and Sonntag ganged up on Gerwing near the end. Poor guy.

"I'm %@#$# freezing"

Sonntag and Calkins have something they want to let the rest of us know about?

back for more

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By request, here's an interview with Klipper goalie Justin McDonald after Saturday's loss to La Ronge, his first SJHL start.

UPDATED: McGrath speaks about joining the Klippers

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend and enjoys the leftovers over the next few days. It was a great sports weekend for me, with the Leafs clobbering Ottawa, the Argos pulling out a win over the Riders (I think I hear the pitchforks coming already) and the Eagles hung on to beat San Fran 27-24.

But the show must go on. Today was picture day at the Events Centre, when I take everyone's head shot for the SJHL website. I caught the end of practice. The guys were having a lot of fun out there, trying out all kinds of moves.

I talked to new Klipper D. Jay McGrath about his demotion and what it will be like playing at home again. Here you go:

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I also talked to Andrew Dommett about how his jaw is progressing and what it's been like not being in the line-up. He said the wiring in his jaw is due to come out on Oct. 20, and depending on how well the jaw healed, he may be able to start working out, with full contact practices coming perhaps 3-4 weeks after that. He also had some words for the general public regarding what's being said about the suspension to Justin Ducharme.

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I'll leave you with a few shots of the guys screwing around while getting their pictures taken.

D. Jay McGrath is REALLY excited to be here

John Sonntag is missing his soother

No soother makes widdle Johnny mad

Wolves beat Klippers again

This will be a quick recap.

There were an awful lot of penalties in this game. It was obvious that the Klippers struggled to get any sort of flow going in the first period. When they did get on the PP, they usually negated it either by taking a penalty of their own or not making anything happen. They played their best hockey in the last 10 minutes of the game, and by then it was too late.

Justin McDonald made his first SJHL start and if it weren't for his play in the first, those penalties may have buried the Klips. Yeah, he allowed four goals on the first 24 shots. But he made the big saves when needed, and when the Klippers turned it on in the third, McDonald stopped the La Ronge counter attack to give his offence a chance to tie. He made a couple of big glove saves during the game and a huge pad stop on Doug Lindensmith, on a partial breakaway, to deny him the hat trick in the second period.

There was definitely some bad blood tonight, but it could have been much worse. There was one scary moment when Sean Flanagan was hit from behind by Nolan Souchotte in the corner to the right of Justin McDonald. What made it tough to watch was Souchotte was moving at very high speed when he hit Flanagan. Kurt Leedahl immediately stood up for his partner by fighting Souchotte.

Fortunately, Flanagan got the kinks worked out over the second intermission and returned to the game.

I had a good chat with Travis Eggum after the game. He was tossed during the second period for a hit from behind. I didn't see how it developed because I was writing something down, but he told me he was going for the puck and they got tangled up. It was nice to catch up. Does he ever look different from the Eggum who left Kindersley. I think the mustachio and big hair are official requirements to play for La Ronge.

Bump of the game: Taylor Wasden
Three stars: 1. Doug Lindensmith; 2. Taylor Duzan; 3. Dayton Fossum

Larry Wintoneak said D. Jay McGrath should arrive tonight or early tomorrow (Sunday). He also suggested that Riley Down probably won't be ready to play in Flin Flon, but he isn't sure. He had some things to say about the Flanagan hit as well. If I find time on Sunday, I will post the interview as well as another one with Justin McDonald.