SJHL Klippers’ playoff hopes dwindling
By Jordan Parker
They may be mathematically still in the race, but the Kindersley Klippers aren’t counting on a playoff berth.
Assistant Coach Tyler Traptow was disappointed after a difficult 6-2 loss February 15th, 2023 against the Melfort Mustangs. It followed a narrow 6-5 Valentine’s Day victory against Nipawin.
“We played a decent game against Nipawin, and until the last 10 minutes, it was the best game we played all year,” he said. But the Klippers have shown a pattern of losing grip for periods of time, and it continues to cost them. The team was up 4-2 going into the third, and managed to lose the lead to bring things to overtime.
PHOTO COURTESY DOUG KLASSEN
“We fell off the rails a bit. They scored three in a short span. But we were resilient, we battled it out, and got the win.”
But their game against the Mustangs – the third in the Foullards Cup series – didn’t go their well. “I don’t know what the deal was. We weren’t ready to play, but Melfort really did come out hungry,” said Traptow. “I think the fact we beat them in the first two games played a part. They wanted revenge. We had their number the first two games, but they wanted it more. They outplayed us, and they deserved the win.”
The mental errors and stretches where the Klippers don’t play their best don’t have an easy answer, the coach says.
“If I had a concrete way to fix it, we wouldn’t keep doing this. It happens once every four or five games, and it’s all mental. We need to do a better job of resetting,” he said.
“We just haven’t been able to do it, and it’s something we need to look at in the off-season. We have the skill and ability, but when it comes to buy-in, it’s about what’s between the ears.”
He says they aren’t technically out of the playoffs, but to get in would be a miracle.
“We have three 20-year-olds. So technically there are only three open spots. We are telling this team they’re all fighting for a spot. If that doesn’t motivate them I don’t know what will,” he said.
“The team is well aware. Also there are scouts to think about. You never know who’s in the stands watching. It could be one off shift or off game, but you never know who will see it.”
The powerplay was 0/9 in the two games over the week. Traptow acknowledged it’s a part of the Klippers’ game to look at.
“We’re a work-in-progress. It’s frustrating. We’ve tried everyone on the powerplay, and nothing was clicking. The unit the other night looked good, but we weren’t getting bounces,” he said.
“It’s all still evolving, and we’re figuring out who to play where. We can also improve for next year. But at some point, the guys need self-motivation to get through it.”