As has been the case often this year, the Klippers got off to a hot start in the first period before letting their opponents back in during the second. In this case, Kindersley led 3-0 after the first on goals by Braeden Adamyk, D. Jay McGrath and Sanfred King.
Adamyk's goal came on a deflection of a Sean Flanagan point shot. I'm not sure Adamyk meant to do it as he was heading for the net, with his back to the shot, and it just happened to hit his stick on the way by. McGrath shot a one-timer five hole to make it 2-0 and King let go a pinpoint wrist shot from in tight, top left corner, for the third goal.
Humboldt then scored three in the second, although the Klippers got goals from Tanner Exner and another from Adamyk to take a 5-3 lead after two.
Jeremy Boyer made it 3-1, taking a pass in the slot from the right corner and putting it over Peck's blocker. But Exner responded 21 seconds later on a feed from Taylor Wasden. Then the Broncos scored 42 seconds apart, first on the PP when a blocked shot popped to Adam Antkowiak on the doorstep for an easy backhander, then when Buzzeo broke free on a breakaway and scored blocker side. Finally, Adamyk made it 5-3 for the Klippers with six minutes left in the second.
McGrath and Taylor Duzan both scored in the final eight minutes - McGrath on a deke and Duzan on a juicy rebound with 16 seconds left - to seal the win.
The Klippers got contributions from everyone tonight, getting at least one goal from each of the four lines, including three from the Benn-King-McGrath unit.
A big reason for the win was the team's ability to generate pressure in the Humboldt zone and keep it on. The forecheck was great and the defencemen were very good at holding the puck in to allow for sustained pressure. When it was all said and done, the Klippers fired 42 shots on Broncos netminder Matt Hrynkiw (Humboldt had 30) and they were consistent with 14 shots in each period.
Alex Peck made some big stops and gave the Klippers a chance to push back after allowing the goals in the second period. He has won his last three starts and as you'll hear in his interview below, he's getting more confidence. I believe the Klippers will cut down to two goalies by Dec. 1.
Bump of the game: Taylor Wasden for a hit midway through the first period, in a corner of the Humboldt zone, that was so hard it knocked two stanchions (I think that's what they were?) out of the glass. They fell onto the ice and had to be put back in on the next stoppage.
Three Stars: 1. Braeden Adamyk, 2. D. Jay McGrath, 3. Sean Flanagan. Honourable mentions to Johnny Calkins and Ryan Benn.
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On another note, defenceman Jeff Bartel has been cut. But the Klippers will retain his rights, as he will go out to the KIJHL to play with the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. It's not a bad move for a player who had to play single-A last year due to a broken arm. He should get to play regularly and then be a regular on the Klipper blueline next year.
Larry Wintoneak said he is on the verge of trading the rights to Brett Penner for a player, probably in the next 24 hours. He said several teams have had interest in Penner, and he hinted that he may be able to package a couple of players to upgrade at a position and pare down the roster at the same time.
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Interviews
D. Jay McGrath scored twice tonight and talks about how his line with Sanfred King and Ryan Benn is gelling. I have some more goodies from this duster coming later tonight so check back for a good laugh.
Alex Peck made 27 saves tonight and has now won his last three starts. He says he's getting more confident and has simplified his game between the pipes.
Larry Wintoneak talks about the win, the play of the King line, the departure of Jeff Bartel and probable action on the trade front this week, among other things.
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