SJHL Klippers looking to change their luck

By Jordan Parker

Despite their best efforts, the SJHL Ironhorse Kindersley Jr Klippers just can’t seem to catch a break this season.

When Your Southwest spoke to Assistant Coach Briar McNaney, the team had just one win in five games and an overtime loss and shootout loss apiece for their efforts.

Going into the weekend – where they had games against Yorkton, Melville and Notre Dame – they were last in the league with a 5-11-1-4 record and 15 points. And yet, they were only four points away from a three-team leap in the standings.

“It’s disappointing to lose. It’s a difficult thing, but you just have to move on to the next game,” said McNaney following a 6-3 loss to the Melville Millionaires on November 23.

The Klippers were outshot 38-26, and Melville scored five unanswered goals – four in the third – to come out on top.

“We’ve been preaching this since the start – We need to get pucks on the net. Sometimes you miss, sometimes they’re blocked, and sometimes it’s a bad angle for a quality chance. But things happen,” he said.

“Earlier in the season, we were shooting 40+ shots a game. It’s a matter of us hitting the net and getting past opposing players’ shinpads. We need to find the space to take good shots.”

Though McNaney wasn’t happy with the outcome, he knows the team has to keep doing what they do best.

“We just need to stay the course. Some unlucky things happen in the third period, and we beat ourselves mentally. The mistakes cost us,” he said. “We need to keep going and get the guys to do these things the right way.”

One thing McNaney has been really pleased with is the goaltending from both of his newcomers: Logan Falk and Cody Jaman.

“They’ve both been playing well. We’re confident in both guys and happy to have high-end goaltending. That’s something some teams would love to have,” he said.

“They work so well together as a tandem. They’re best friends, they push each other, and they cheer each other on. That translates well on the ice.”

When asked if the coaching staff juggles lines often, McNaney said chemistry is important for things to go smoothly.

“We really love some guys as duos, and seeing them on the ice together is fun to watch. Obviously, due to injury and other things, the lines get switched up. But we try to keep chemistry together,” he said.

“For instance, the Paplawski twins (Spencer and Adam) play so well together. It’d be pointless to split them up, and anyone who watches the game would agree.”

McNaney is sure the team can rise in the ranks and standings if they can push through the slump.

“We just need to stick to the process. We could move to a playoff spot with two weeks of great play here,” he said.

“We’re only a bit over a third of the way through the season, and when luck goes back to our side, all could be well.”

Rosetown native Kayden Ostrom echoed his coach’s sentiments as well. Ostrom himself has seen eight points in 15 games this season and says the team clicks well together.

“I think we’ve gotten really close as a team. We’re just pushing each other through and hoping to get over the slump soon,” he said.

Ostrom was a star at the Calcutta Shootout event for Parents Weekend following the November 19 Klippers win over Nipawin.

“Basically, billet parents drafted players, and we took shots. Whoever won, half of the money went to the team, and half of it went to the billet parent who bought us,” he said. “My billet mom bought me and won her money back.”

He echoed his coach’s sentiment about just getting shots on goal for now.

“(Head Coach Ken Plaquin) talked a lot about this. We need to crash the net and hope for some greasy goals right now,” he said.

“But knowing we’re getting outshot, we also need to lock down our defence and not give teams so many other opportunities.”

His first season with the SJHL has been an important, amazing ride for the young player.

“It’s just been awesome. It’s a great group, and the coaches are awesome. If we start winning, things will be even better,” he said.

“As long as we remain positive and keep a good morale, I really know things will be fine.”

The Klippers will take a break and be back with regular season play on Saturday, December 3, 2022. They play Notre Dame in Kindersley.