Klippers action sidelined by COVID-19 shutdown

By Jordan Parker

The Kindersley Klippers had to postpone their games until this past Saturday after some players tested positive for COVID-19.

The announcement was made Tuesday on their social pages, and their games scheduled for Thursday and Friday will be played at a later date.

“For a long time, we were the only team that hadn’t had a case,” said Klippers Assistant Coach Mitch Topinka. “But we had a couple of guys test positive and had to take a pause.”

That said, he relays the team is doing just fine and in good spirits.

“Things have been alright, considering. It was just a matter of time until this happened,” he said.

“Our games rescheduled are versus Humboldt and Battlefords, and they’ve been rescheduled already.”

The team’s players who are out will all be good to go on Saturday, as provincial regulations say those with COVID-19 must isolate for five days. Close contacts are only required to monitor themselves for symptoms.

Topinka says he isn’t worried about the time missed on the ice affecting the Klippers’ performance.

“They know these are huge games coming up. We want to make sure we get into these playoffs,” he said. “The guys need to stay on track, and we need to trend in the right direction. They know what these games mean.”

The coach says they’ve put themselves in the unenviable position of having to fight for a playoff spot, but the squad is accepting the challenge.

“We’re in a situation towards the bottom of the league standings, but the coaching staff also showed the guys at the trade deadline we aren’t giving up,” he said.

“I think we can make a push here, and they know the kind of hockey we need to play. We need them to buy in and realize a more intense game is needed.”

Defenseman Brayden Koch – a new teammate for the Klippers – said it’s unfortunate COVID-19 hit the team now.

“We were on a run. To reschedule was hard when you’re heating up on the ice as a team,” he said. “The team was really clicking.”

“To shut down for a bit and not get to practice as a group is difficult. We’ll all be excited to get back.”

The Klippers were scheduled to play at home on Saturday, February 5, 2022, against the Melfort Mustangs.