Klippers take home opener VS Battleford
By Jordan Parker
The Kindersley Klippers emerged triumphant in their September 25 home opener against rival Battlefords North Stars.
But the win was hard-fought, and followed an away game loss against that same team. Their 3-1 loss in Friday’s game came due to a third-period defensive breakdown.
“We may have snuck two points out on Saturday, but the outcome was different the day prior. However, mental errors are expected early in the season,” said Assistant Coach Mitch Topinka.
Team captain Mark Snarr scored early on to give the Klippers a 1-0 lead, but the North Stars tied it up in the second. The team took the lead in the third, and scored an empty net goal to put the Klippers away.
Bright spots included a penalty kill that blanked the North Stars on four opportunities, and goalie Matthew Pesenti’s 25 saves on 27 shots in a stalwart performance.
“We really came out flying and had a good first period. Our second wasn’t as good, and we played into their game a bit. But we roared back the next game,” he said.
Battleford player Emmett Wurst scored two goals in a row to put the team up 2-0 in the first, but a goal from Charles Obofaio, on an assist from team newcomer Cash Arnsten, cut the lead in half.
Noah Lindsay tied it up in the third, with the North Stars’ Sam Witt putting the team back on top.
Kindersley would dominate the third, with Arnsten putting up another assist and goal to put the team up 4-3. Battlefords’ Holden Doell tied it up midway through the period, but Ethan Mack would end things in the first overtime.
“We went down early in game two, but we battled back. We had good heart and we went back-and-forth. To win our home opener in overtime versus our rival is one of the coolest things out there,” he said.
“What Head Coach Brayden Klimosko has done with the North Stars is great. Last year was rough and they lost big parts of the team. This year they’re brand new and have some size.”
While the SJHL power rankings touted the North Stars as a big team to watch, Topinka says his team can more than keep up.
“People think we’re an underdog, and I just don’t believe in it. We have serious speed and skill on this roster,” he said.
“The first few games have seen all different goal scorers, and that’s what we’ve been looking for from everyone. We feel like they’ve actually been trying to keep up with us.”
The young guys on the team are doing their part, and Topinka says it’s all coming together. Captain Mark Snarr and Assistants Noah Lindsay, Jaxon Georget and Jack Michell have been holding down the fort.
“Our leadership team has been great, and this is an absolute family. Just because these folks have letters doesn’t mean they’re the only leaders either. The dressing room is full of them,” he said.
Assistant Captain Jaxon Georget amassed four points in two games over the weekend, including a three-point night in the home opener. The LW Kindersley native is encouraged by what the team has shown so far.
“On Friday there was a battle. We started strong but lost with two minutes left in the third. But we came back Saturday, and played well. We found a way to come back,” he said. “We played fast, our goalie played so well. It was unreal.”
“To see the home crowd was amazing. It brought some energy to the team, and it was so good to see.”
Georget is happy to be in a leadership role with the Klippers this year.
“It’s just awesome. I love being a leader, and I’ve been one on my teams in the past. I do well with it, and I like to show the younger guys the ropes,” he said.
After his performance over the weekend, Georget is happy and will keep pushing.
“I’ve been playing with amazing linemates. We’ve been helping each other out a lot. Our Head Coach Ken Plaquin always wants us to take the body, and we don’t let people walk around us,” he said.
“We just want to be better in our defensive zone. We lost in the final two minutes Friday, and we had mental breakdowns on Saturday that led to a 2-0 deficit early. But we’ll constantly be getting better.”
Jaxon Georget | PHOTO KINDERSLEY KLIPPERS
