Calkins, Cahill get SJHL weekly honours

The Klippers were all over the SJHL This Week released this morning, and then some.

Johnny Calkins and Sean Cahill were named player and goaltender of the week, respectively. Congrats to both. They have each been a crucial part of the team's recent success. Yorkton's Blaine Tendler was the d-man of the week.

The Klippers are also third in the league power rankings, a place they have not been for a while.

You can read the whole thing on the league site, but here are the parts focusing on the Klippers:

The SJHL has reached the Christmas break with the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Yorkton Terriers leading their respective conferences. However, as the league breaks until December 30, the story is the Kindersley Klippers. The team relieved Larry Wintoneak of his coaching duties December 13, and since Rockie Zinger took over, the team has done nothing but rack up win after win. Kindersley goes into the break on a six game winning streak with four of those wins coming since Zinger took over head coaching duties. The streak has the Klippers in 2nd in the Sherwood Conference—three up on Weyburn and four ahead of the 4th place Estevan Bruins.

SHERWOOD PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Johnny Calkins (Kindersley)

The Klippers have turned their game around over the past couple of weeks. One of the reasons whdy is the play of Johnny Calkins. The 1990 born forward from Kyle, SK has scored six goals in his last five games—all Klipper victories. He goes into the Christmas break leading the Klippers in scoring with 55 points which is tied for 5th in the league.

SHERWOOD GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK – Sean Cahill (Kindersley)

The Klippers have gone through many goaltenders this year as they try and replace Josh Thorimbert. They may have finally found one in Cahill. The 20 year old from Calgary was in goal for three of Kindersley’s four victories this past week and is 6-1 since arriving from the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

POWER RANKINGS

1. Yorkton Terriers – The Terriers continue to show that they have what it takes to get back to the SJHL final and perhaps the RBC Cup. It will be interesting to see if Yorkton has anything up their sleeve when the January 10 deadline hits as they are already a very good hockey team.

2. La Ronge Ice Wolves – The line of Carre, Lindensmith and Eggum continues on as one of the best lines in all of Canadian Junior “A” hockey. Carre goes into the break riding an 18 game point scoring streak.

3. Kindersley Klippers – When Larry Wintoneak was let go, the players said there are no more excuses now. They don’t have to apologize to anyone for the way they are playing at this moment as they are playing their best hockey of the year

Klippers get honourable mention in national top 20

Not that I put much stock in these rankings, but the Klippers' red hot play of late is getting them attention outside the SJHL as they have received an honourable mention in the latest CJHL Top 20.


1. (1) Powell River Kings (BCHL)
2. (2) Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
3. (4) Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
4. (5) Wellington Dukes (OJHL)
5. (3) Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL)
6. (6) Cornwall Colts (CJHL)
7. (7) Woodstock Slammers (MHL)
8. (11) Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
9. (8) Burlington Cougars (OJHL)
10. (14) Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
11. (12) Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)
12. (9) Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
13. (13) Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
14. (17) Portage Terriers (MJHL)
15. (NR) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
16. (15) Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
17. (18) Selkirk Steelers (MJHL)
18. (HM) La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL)
19. (19) Wisconsin Wilderness (SIJHL)
20. (HM) Le College Francais de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)

Honorable mention goes to the Kindersley Klippers (SJHL), Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL), Soo Eagles (NOJHL), Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL), and the Weeks Crushers (MHL).

Klippers win final game before Christmas

The Klippers are heading home tomorrow on a high after winning their sixth straight game tonight, a 5-4 victory over the Flin Flon Bombers.

Jordon Hoffman, Jesse Mysiorek, Riley Down (his first of the year), Johnny Calkins and Sanfred King scored for the Klippers. Andrew Johnston and Ryan Fox replied with two each for Flin Flon.

The Klippers (20-15-2) are now tied for third place in the SJHL, behind only Yorkton and La Ronge.

A scout from St. Scholastica, a Div. III school in Duluth, Minn., was at the game tonight to see John Sonntag and Johnny Calkins.

I'll have more in the morning, but for now, here are the post-game reactions.

Rockie Zinger

Taylor Wasden

John Sonntag

Klippers drop a bomb on Flin Flon for fifth straight win

The Klippers were in a pretty festive mood after tonight's game and it wasn't just because of Christmas.

Five different players scored in a 5-1 victory over the Flin Flon Bombers in the first of a two-game set this weekend. Kindersley has now won five in a row.

The goals came from Cody Lund, Jesse Mysiorek, Johnny Calkins, Andrew Dommett and Sanfred King. The Klippers dominated the Bombers on the forecheck in the first period, led 2-0 after two and really blossomed in the third.

Don't look now, but the Klippers (19-15-2) are now in sole possession of second place for the first time in quite a while. Weyburn is one back and Estevan is two back, both with a game in hand. Yorkton had their nine-game winning streak snapped tonight and they are 12 points ahead of the Klippers, with an extra game played.

Bump of the game: Jesse Mysiorek
Three Stars: 1. Braeden Adamyk, 2. Johnny Calkins, 3. Jesse Mysiorek
Honourable mentions to Sean Flanagan and Sanfred King. Both guys were very impressive tonight. It was one of those nights when it's really hard to pick these because so many guys played really well.

Both teams will do it all over again tomorrow at 6.

Interviews:

Tanner Kissick's line with Down and Wasden was terrific tonight. He was under heavy scrutiny during this interview...

Rockie Zinger talks about how important the strong forecheck and traffic in front were tonight, the contributions from all lines and tomorrow's game.