Friday, February 4, 2011

Klippers vs. Weyburn preview

The Kindersley Klippers and Weyburn Red Wings face off in their sixth and final game of the regular season tonight at the WCEC. It's a crucial game for both clubs, with the Klippers needing to gain on Yorkton and the Wings trying to overtake the suddenly surging Bruins for third place. The Terriers (four points up with a game in hand) are playing Melville tonight.

By all accounts, the game in Weyburn last Friday was full of bad blood and I'd expect the same tonight. If you don't have plans tonight, this is definitely a game you will want to catch since it could be a first round playoff preview.

Spencer Braaten finally makes his Klipper debut tonight after practicing full tilt since Monday. That's another good reason to take in this one. I'm looking forward to seeing the diminutive scorer in action.

Also, Brenden Ullrich is reporting that Johnny Calkins will miss the game with the flu and that Sanfred King will fill his place on the top line. That's a blow for the Klippers, but with Braaten and Wheaton King back in tonight, they shouldn't be hurting for offence.

Weyburn Red Wings

The first thing you need to know about Weyburn is that Shawn and Rodney Cowie have left the team. That is a massive loss, especially during a playoff race at this time of year. I don't know the reasons, but that's a very dubious move at best at this time in the season. Either way, the Klippers won't be dealing with those two tonight. Sometimes teams rally around something like this and play at a high level despite the lost talent. Just look at Humboldt's play since shipping out their 20-year-olds. We'll see how it affects the Wings.

But make no mistake, there is plenty of talent left on this club and it starts with Brock Appleyard and Drew George, both among the top forwards in the SJHL. Add the likes of Keegan Bruce, Lucas Ulmer and Coltyn Sanderson and this is not a group to be taken lightly. And the Wings are simply a tough team to play. Opponents really have to work to get two points from them.

Weyburn doesn't have that one stud defenceman (although I really like T.J. Wees) but they get it done by committee and boast the fourth-lowest goals against total in the league. In goal, Mitch Kilgore is outstanding and has been a huge reason why the Red Wings are where they are.

Kindersley Klippers

The Klippers are well-rested coming into this one, not having played since Saturday's win in Estevan. The break was much-needed with several players nursing injuries. Injecting Braaten and King into the lineup tonight is a big boost. I'm looking forward to seeing Sanfred King on the top line. In a lot of ways, he's a similar player to Calkins. Their vision and puck distribution are definitely comparable. King showed good chemistry with Braeden Adamyk early in the season, and when you combine King's playmaking with Dommett's shot, it could be a treat to watch.

Jesse Mysiorek remains out with an aggravated groin injury and was in Edmonton this week to see a specialist. It will be interesting to see Braaten on that line with Duzan and Hoffman. To me, Duzan and Braaten are very similar players. 

Most of the Klippers' defencemen have been playing great hockey of late and with a huge divisional match-up tonight I would expect that to continue. Barring something crazy, Sean Cahill will get the nod between the pipes.

See you at the WCEC.

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