Klippers vs. Weyburn Preview

Ahhh. It's good to be home, ain't it?

In February, a weekend like this would have meant back-to-back 75-minute round trips. I'd be getting ready to leave right about now. Instead, I'm just getting ready to write the game preview.

So many people, including me, took for granted the luxury of having an excellent facility just a few blocks away - not to mention a second ice surface.

Last night's re-opening was a dandy and the Klippers will try to make it two straight at home when they host Weyburn tonight.

Weyburn Red Wings

The Wings are 3-3 in their opening six games and are coming off a very bi-polar two games. On Friday, they whipped the downtrodden North Stars 7-1. Last night, they were pounded 10-4 in Humboldt. The Broncos scored five times in the first period and four times in the third. Weyburn is playing their third game in three nights, so if the Klippers come out firing they could be in the driver's seat.

Up front, Brock Appleyard is off to a great start with 11 points. Drew George and Coltyn Sanderson are also putting up the points early. Shawn and Rodney Cowie have only played in two games each. I don't know what that's about, nor do I know if they're playing tonight. If not, that's a big plus for the Klippers. I obviously haven't seen the Wings play this season, but judging by the stats, they could use more out of Lucas Ulmer and rookie Zane Weal, who came in highly acclaimed.

Weyburn is getting decent production from the back end in the form of T.J. Wees and newcomer Ryan Whitell. Dmitry Adams and Tanner McCall are the other key players here.

In goal, the Red Wings are running with a three-headed monster (™ Edmonton Oilers). It was thought Mitch Kilgore had the best shot at the starting role, but he's only gotten into two games. Lucas Felbel and ex-Estevan Bruin Riley Hengen have also spent time between the pipes. Your guess is as good as mine as to who starts tonight. My guess is Kilgore.

Kindersley Klippers


This team is in good hands when Braeden Adamyk and Johnny Calkins control the game the way they did last night. Sanfred King continues to perform and is becoming a huge part of the offence. Jordon Hoffman's line is still intact and if one of the three units has a bad night, the others can pick up the slack. I thought Beau Taylor looked very dangerous last night and Taylor Wasden was a real physical presence.

On the back end, Jeff Bartel and David Haaf are starting to find their groove in Junior A hockey (Bartel got a rude welcome last night when he lost a tooth on a puck to the face). Kurt Leedahl was his usual steady self at both ends, and John Sonntag had a quiet but solid night, including a PP goal. Sean Flanagan looked very good in his return from the Team West camp and Lance Tabin had a solid outing. Don't expect to see Riley Down tonight. My guess is he comes back during the trip to Flin Flon in mid-October.

In goal, I wouldn't be surprised to see Justin McDonald make his first SJHL start tonight. That said, Scotty Hellyer was terrific last night and certainly deserves another start at home. Flip a coin on this one.

Game starts at 6 p.m. Be there!