SJHL Exhibition Games Are On!
Well, the 2024-25 SJHL exhibition games are on. Kindersley played host to the Humboldt Broncos on Friday the 6th at the Co-op Arena, as the Inter Pipeline Arena side is still cleaning up from the PBR and getting that rink ready for the regular season start on September 21st.
The Jrs. started off strong and played well, until the 3rd period when the floodgates opened and Humboldt poured it on and scored 4 times. Returning goalie Cody “Noodles” Jaman started the game and played the 1st half when new-comer Brett O’Halloran got between the pipes for his turn. Not sure if it was nerves or not, but unfortunately the Broncos took advantage of him and put 5 pucks into the net. Final score was 7 to 3 for Humboldt. Being an exhibition game, many players for both teams were fighting for jobs this season so it wasn’t a surprise to see so many penalties. Of course, all the players want to assert their presence with authority and showcase themselves and their talents to the coaching staff and to their fellow players. Some penalties are good and some are bad. That’s just hockey life.
15 penalties were called on the Broncos and 16 against the Klippers. So because both sides have many new players and wannabe players that this happens quite a bit. Everyone wants a spot so must do what you can to stand out. The following night up Humboldt, the Klippers fell again, this time the score was 9 – 1. Both goalies were new and relatively untested in the SJHL and maybe some nerves got in the way too. It is very early to make any snap judgements about players at this time. Head coach Clayton Jardine and assistant coach Tyler Traptow are looking to the veterans to be leaders and step up their game and take charge with the younger players. Players like Ethan Hilbig, Kyler Smith and Cody Jaman will be looked to for leadership on and off the ice. They do seem to have a good relationship with all the other players so we can just hope that rubs off on them so then everyone will be on the same page. The Perlinger brothers have already shown that they won’t put up with any foolishness from opposing players as they both play a very gritty brand of hockey.
Is it time to make any changes? No way. I think this mix of players just need a little more time to learn the system and get used to playing with one another. They are in Battleford on Wednesday the 11th and then back at home on Friday the 13th against the same Battleford Northstars. Regular season play begins on the Goose Festival Saturday the 21st and their opponents will be Battleford. There will be no cost for this game as InterPipeline (as the new naming sponsor for the arena) is picking up the fees for all attendees. Let’s go Klippers!!
By Kevin Martin
Photo and Vid Credit: Kevin Martin
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