This is a game I've been looking forward to for a couple of weeks. Estevan and Kindersley were two of the teams expected to compete for the Sherwood crown this year, and while the Klippers haven't been up to snuff, they showed signs of turning it around last week and I believe a four-point game like this at home will bring out the best in them.
Estevan Bruins
The B's have the third-best winning percentage in the SJHL and have points in eight of their last 10, including six wins. Up front, Ryan Andersen and Dylan Smith have been on fire lately. Andersen boasts a league-leading 20 goals and comes in riding a nine-game point streak. Smith has 26 points in 17 games as an 18-year-old. With other scoring threats including Ben Findlay, Troy Hunter, Mark Cross, Kyle Johnson and Justin Waskewitch, the Bruins will make you pay for your mistakes.
On the back end, though, Estevan will be without two regular defencemen tonight. Dominic Perrault and Brett Rock are both serving suspensions stemming from Sunday's game against La Ronge. But they have several other two-way minute munchers like Ty Ariss, Lucas Stubel, Tyler Spencer and Joel Kot.
I would imagine we'll see Joel Danyluk in goal. He is 10-4-1 with a 3.44 average and .904 save percentage this year.
Estevan is four points ahead of Kindersley with two games in hand.
Kindersley Klippers
The first game back for Larry Wintoneak and Sean Flanagan is a big one. As I mentioned to Braeden Adamyk after the win on Saturday, the Klippers need to start stringing a few wins together, rather than their recent win/loss/win/loss pattern, if they want to move up the Sherwood standings. It all starts with Adamyk and Johnny Calkins, who were fantastic on Saturday. They need to have another big outing tonight. I also look to Sanfred King and D. Jay McGrath to create some offence. They were put together on Saturday and looked pretty good. And of course, the Jordon Hoffman line has been money lately. The current setup gives the Klippers three very dangerous lines, if they play up to their ability.
On the back end, Flanagan will be welcomed back into the fold. His mobility and ability to kick start the play was missed. With the addition of Casey Rogers, it will be interesting to see which two guys sit out, or maybe they go with seven defencemen again. At the same time, it would be nice to see Tanner Kissick draw back in soon as the 12th forward.
My gut feeling is that Alex Peck will get the start, but in truth I don't know. After the win on Saturday, I think Larry and Rockie want to continue to build up his confidence, and a game against Estevan is a good way to do that.
Speaking of goaltenders, Craig Stein is reporting that Kyle Jahraus has left the Melville Millionaires and they are seeking out a goaltender to back up Zach Rakochy. The post quotes Jamie Fiesel as saying he has spoken with some SJHL teams who are carrying three goalies.
Here are the teams that fit the criteria:
Kindersley - Alex Peck (20), Dustin Nickel (19), Justin McDonald (18)
Battlefords - Graham Hildebrand (19), Kyle Birch (20), Alex Sirard (19)
Weyburn - Mitch Kilgore (19), Riley Hengen (20), Logan Marks (18)
Melfort - Charles Corsi (20), Jesse Ehnisz (19), Jay Hudon (18)
If Fiesel opts to acquire a goalie within the league, the Stars would appear to be the best fit. I could definitely see Sirard heading to Melville. Birch is a possibility, but it seems Rakochy is settling into the starter's role in Melville and I doubt Birch is willing to go there as a backup.
A deal with the Klippers is possible, but they don't have a clear-cut #1 right now. If I'm Larry Wintoneak, I wouldn't want to trade Peck or Nickel only to see the remaining tender fail in Kindersley.
Or maybe I'm just speaking from experience as a Leaf fan after they traded Tuukka Rask instead of Justin Pogge. Who knows.
See you at the WCEC.
I disagree, Jay Hudon is definatly a better fit because of his age and abilities. Melville would be a perfect team for him to get experience.
ReplyDeleteWould Melfort want to give him up though? Honest question, I don't know.
ReplyDeletetrue since he could grown into a great starter in years to come, hes only 18!
ReplyDeleteSirard it is.
ReplyDelete