A healed Klippers team wins three straight games
By Jordan Parker
With bumps, bruises and suspensions all squared away, the Kindersley Klippers team is back to form.
Heading into their Wednesday night game against the Estevan Bruins, they had won three in a row, improving to 6-7 on a tumultuous season.
“Our structure works and our game is coming along. The guys are buying in, working hard and focusing on the little things in their games,” said Assistant Coach Mitch Topinka.
After a 4-3 shootout win last Friday against the Nipawin Hawks, they followed it up with a 3-0 trouncing against the same opponent. They also took a 7-6 overtime win over the La Ronge Ice Wolves prior to the weekend.
“Everyone on the team is back now, and that’s been a big positive. The suspensions and injuries are done, and the line-up is where is should be right now,” he said.
But Topinka also says those who came into the lineup in that intervening time helped the team, and prospect Matthew Ripplinger was among them.
They signed 2019 draft pick Ripplinger to a letter of intent for the 2022-2023 season in mid-October, but called upon him for one game during the injury spell.
“He is currently playing for the U-18 Swift Current Legionnaires, but he’s one of those kids we just wanted to stay after camp,” he said. “We loved his work ethic and energy, but he wanted one more year in his league.”
The Regina, SK. Player suited up for the game against La Ronge, notching an assist.
“After that game, we asked him again to stay, but he was committed to going back to Swift Current. We respected that. He’s a great kid and comes from a great family. We’re looking forward to next year,” he said.
“A lot of guys stepped up during injuries, including young guys on the team. The veteran guys were leaders and stepped up also. It was a tough stretch, but the guys are realizing it works better when we do things together,” he said.
“It had a positive impact for guys to come back and see these things we’ve been talking about working. We’re getting goals from people we weren’t expecting to, and it’s going well.”
Players that have impressed Topinka include the Hilbig brothers, Tylin and younger defenceman Ethan.
The two are from Kindersley, and the latter has collected two points and 31 penalties in an enforcer role, while brother Tylin has notched 11 points in 13 games, making him the team leader.
“Tylin’s play has been huge. He’s going to the dirty areas, not hesitating and playing hard. Ethan is stepping it up on the back end, and he’s only 17,” said Topinka.
After a few difficult starts, Topinka is loving seeing goaltender Matthew Pesenti in incredible form, and believes in his abilities.
“Matt has just been lights out. It felt like he just was off a bit, but he’s back, and I’m so happy to see his play lately,” said Topinka.
The goalie Saskatoon goalie has started nine of the 13 games, and has a 3.51 goals against average with a .89 save percentage. He has seen more than 30 shots in six of those nine games.
But in his last two, he’s seen just three goals go in and a shutout on the 23rd against Nipawin. Pesenti credits his teammates for his improved performance.
“Everyone has really been putting their best foot forward lately, and it feels reall good. The team’s play is making us all look better individually, including me. It’s adding to personal confidence,” he said.
“It feel good to get the shutout the other night, but my team was doing a good job of boxing out in front, leaving me with easy shots. They made me look good, and it’s always a good feeling to win a big game.”
He’s happy that things seem to be back to normal for the team right now, and sees a lot of potential to continue a high level of play.
“We were short-handed for a while and missing some key players. But we have everyone back, and that’s huge.
Photo courtesy Kindersley Klippers
