SJHL Kindersley team clipping along
By Jordan Parker
It’s been an up-and-down season for the SJHL Kindersley Iron Horse Klippers, but they had some things to smile about this week.
After a disappointing road trip, the team returned triumphant with a 5-2 win over the Melfort Mustangs, to take a 2-0 series lead during the Fouillards Cup.
“We just played really well during that game. It was one of our most consistent games up-and-down the line-up,” said Assistant Coach Tyler Traptow.
“We were just really happy with that effort against Melfort, and everyone kind of played their role.”
He said something like the Fouillards Cup gives the guys an extra incentive to push hard.
“I didn’t know much about it before I started coaching. But it’s nice to see the guys win things like this, even if moving up the standings is more important,” he said.
“It’s a feather in their cap. We just need one more win to close out the series. We don’t see Melfort a lot, but games like this give a boost.”
At the time of his interview, Traptow and the Klippers were facing a double-header against the formidable Humboldt Broncos. It’s always a back-and-forth tilt between the teams, and the weekend ended with the Klippers coming out on the losing end of 3-1 and 7-2 scores.
“It’s just a big rivalry with them. We see them more than we see most teams,” he said. “We have a sour taste from the last few games, but the guys do love playing them. We need to show our rivals what we’re capable of.”
The Klippers’ Cash Arnsten was named Player Of The Month, after netting two goals and three assists in 10 games.
“He’s a kid you know you’ll always get consistency out of. He’s one of the hardest workers on the team and has a great attitude. He’ll play exactly where you put him, and play well,” said Traptow.
In fact, Arnsten’s whole line made the top three stars, with Tylin Hilbig and Logan Linklater rounding out the list.
“He plays on the right side with those guys. He’s a gritty, tough kid, and he’s always sticking up for the team,” said Traptow.
“He’s not the loudest and he isn’t always out there chirping, but the league knows he’s a hard-nosed guy. We put those guys together in mid-January, and we hope they keep rolling.”
The Klippers have been out in the community a lot recently, with the outdoor practice and shinny last week in Rosedale and a pancake breakfast at Westberry Elementary School. “The outdoor rink didn’t exactly pan out. The Zamboni broke, so we had to cancel. We did get out for a little bit,” he said.
As for the breakfast, Traptow said it went well, even if Spencer Paplawski, Aidan Taylor and Brock Evans struggled to keep their pancaked from getting burned.
“The guys tried, but those three had no success,” laughed Traptow. “That said, it was nice to see guys out helping, and the kids were so pumped.”
With Kayden Ostrom and Adam Paplawski out this weekend, it was a good chance to slot two guys into the lineup. Friday night saw 15-year-old hometown twins Cam and Cobe Perlinger play.
“With the injuries, we were happy to bring in local guys we’ve been watching a while. They have point-per-game pace in Midget AAA, and represented Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games,” he said.
“We don’t like seeing our players injured, but it presented an opportunity for these guys. To see local brothers play their first junior game together is exciting.”
The Klippers play a Valentine’s Day tilt next on February 14, 2023 on the road against Nipawin.