Senior Klippers gain top spot in SWHL
By Jordan Parker
The Kindersley Senior Klippers had an admirable 2021-2022 campaign, and manager Brady Newmeyer sees this year’s squad reaching new heights.
Following an 8-2 trouncing of the Macklin Mohawks on Saturday, October 29, the team is on the right foot to begin.
“We have a really strong team this year. We have Darian Dziurzynski and David Dziurzynski back, and an import in goalie Travis Child. He was in the western league for four years,” said Newmeyer.
“It’s good to see we played well our first game, and we’re going to be fighting for the top spot. It’s a great team with new additions and returners.”
Also among the familiar faces is DJay McGrath and Carson Grolla, and Newmeyer says the additions have added more depth.
“We played well against Macklin, and we are definitely going to be tested this week against Wilkie,” said Newmeyer prior to the weekend.
The Klippers did come out with guns ablazing against the Outlaws on Friday night, soming away with a 5-2 victory.
The two clubs were tied after the first period, but the Klippers dominated the second frame, going up by a score of 4-1.
Shots were even at 37 apiece, but strong goaltending once again from Travis Child benefitted the home team.
Shayne Neigum led the Klipps with a goal and 3 assists. Tate Page, Brody Ryberg, Darian Dziurzynski and Jonny Calkins were the other Kindersley marksmen. Calkins also had 2 helpers on the night, with other assists going to Carson Grolla, Darian Dziurzynski (1), David Dziurzynski (1), Ryberg (1) and Brandon Cummings (1).
Kindersley went 2 for 6 on the powerplay, while the Outlaws went 0-8 with the man advantage.
Brock Harrison and Blake Young were the goalscorers for Wilkie with Andrew Herle, Brett Schell and Ryne Keller picking up assists.
Jared Herle stopped 27 of 32 shots on net. Backup goaltender Curtis Sander stopped all five shots that he faced.
“We found it’s important to build from a defensive-first kind of game. We need to continue to just work hard and play as a team,” he said.
“The entire team has really been shored up. From lines one to four, the whole team is strong. There are no weak links. They’re consistent and the guys are buying in.”
Last year, the Senior Klippers finished with an 11-3-0-0 record, and were third in league play, behind Macklin and Wilkie. They were eliminated by the Wilkie Outlaws in heartbreaking playoff play last March.
With so many new guys joining, Newmeyer sees a different outcome for 2022-2023.
“The adjustment has been good. Everyone is getting along. We have a new coach in Les Aylward, and he’s making guys accountable,” he said. “The big thing is making sure the guys play on the right side of the puck.”
Newmeyer preached again that the depth in the roster is what will set this year’s Klipper team apart.
“We are just strong top-to-bottom. We have two great goaltenders and people are playing within the system,” he said.
“The team is worried about our end first, and if they do that goals will come. It’s too early in the season to see where our biggest strength lies, but we’ll soon find our where we stand and what we need to do to push forward.”
The Klippers next action is Saturday, November 12 when they host the Unity Miners.
The Kerrobert Tigers will have to wait until Friday for their first action as their game on Saturday night versus Wilkie was postponed due to the weather.
