Record: 16-15-2-0
Overview:
The past 48-hours have been interesting to say the least for the Kindersley Klippers. Yesterday morning it was announced that Larry Wintoneak had been relieved of his coaching and management duties with the Klippers. Assistant Coach Rockie Zinger was given the reigns, and tonight marks his first 'official' game as head-coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Kindersley Klippers. Kindersley has won two in a row, and are two points away from grabbing third place in the Sherwood Conference.
Who's Up Front:
Andrew Dommett has absolutely feasted on the North Stars over the years, especially at the Civic Center. Let's review some of Dommett's heroics over the years in North Battleford:
- He scored the game-winner on opening-night.
- A four-goal effort in a 7-6 loss at least year's showcase.
- Scored his first SJHL goal in overtime in North Battleford on January 3rd(?) in 2009.
Keeping Andrew Dommett, Braedon Adamyk and Johnny Calkins contained is of the utmost importance for Ken Pearson's team tonight. The goaltending will have to be sharp, and defensively the Stars will need a similar effort to what they got Sunday in Humboldt. Keeping these three off the scoresheet is pivotal for the Stars tonight.
Who's on D:
20-year-old defenceman Jonothan Sonntag might be the most underrated defenceman in the Sherwood Conference. Sonntag can do it all. He leads all Kindersley defenceman in scoring with 16 points, and carries a real mean-streak and an edge to his game. A big game from Sonntag would go a long way for Rockie Zinger's team.
Who's in Goal:
Given the fact that Kindersley hasn't played in awhile, I'd bet on Sean Cahill getting the call in net. Cahill is 3-4 with a GAA of 3.16 and a save percentage of .898.
X-Factor:
Three of D Jay McGrath's seven goals this season have come against the Battlefords North Stars. McGrath has slid in nicely to Kindersley's top six and has provided the Klippers with strong play at both ends. A big game from McGrath could equal two points at the end of the night for Kindersley.
Record: 15-19-1-1
Overview:
The Battlefords North Stars are coming off a dominant 7-2 win in Humboldt. All cylinders were clicking Sunday, and it started from the net on out. Great goaltending, was complimented by solid defence and timely offense. The Stars will need more of the same tonight if they want to create more separation between themselves and the Nipawin Hawks.
Who's Up Front:
Samuel Fortier is playing his best hockey as a North Star. Fortier has goals in two straight games, and is shooting the puck a lot more than he used to. Fortier fit right in on the right side of Blake Tatchell and Tanner Schwab, and if these three can play as well as they did Sunday, Kindersley's 'D' will have their hands full all night.
Who's on D:
Cody Folstad is having a tremendous season for the Battlefords North Stars. Offensively he's chipped in with 24 points, but his greatest strength has been his leadership and his tenacity on the ice. Folstad won't wow anybody with flash, but he quietly goes about his business and has been one of the Star's most consistent players all season. Folstad played Sunday alongside Woody Klassen, and I'd expect those two to get a bulk of the minutes against Kindersley's top forwards tonight.
Who's in Goal:
After his performance Sunday in Humboldt, I would be stunned if Graham Hildebrand did not start tonight against the Klippers. That being said, Kyle Birch did beat Kindersley 5-2 at the Showcase, and maybe Ken Pearson elects to play the percentages. Regardless of who's in goal, they'll be busy tonight. Goaltenders often are when these two teams are involved.
X-Factor:
Colin Phaneuf has now overtaken Blake Tatchell for the team lead in scoring. He's also riding an eight-game point-streak. Phaneuf has been everything the Stars had hoped for and then some this season. If Phaneuf can keep his streak alive with a goal or two, the Stars will put themselves in a position to win tonight's game.
Puck drops at 7:30 from the Civic Center. See you there.
38 comments:
Can't wait.
Dommett, Calkins and Adamyk have not been playing together the last few games. It will be interesting to see if they will be back together with Larry gone.
Once again, Pearson allows the top line of the opposistion to totally DISSECT his defence.
Until this is addressed, this team will be sniffing Nipawin's arses very shortly.
You obviously were not at the game. I have been watching hockey for 20 plus years and that was honestly the worst officiated game I have ever seen. I dont even know where to begin with this.... The thing that blew my gasket at the end was Tatch was on a clear cut breakaway and got interferred with and nothing was called. There should of been at least a penalty shot. Phaneuf got blantently interfered with about 3 or 4 times and absoultely nothing called. A North star player checks a guy and gets called for interference... What a joke... Ken is not a loser. I would of done more... That was absolutely BRUTALLLLLLL. I think the refs need to be looked at. The refs won the game tonight....
Well for starters we have the president of the ref association right here in north battleford. He was at the game tonight and if this kind of officiating isnt addressed then he is no better then the so called ref that was there tonight.As for ken pearson he had every right to do what he did.Ref Smith should not be allowed to ref another game again ever.He was the total cause of what happened tonight and should be held accountable.
Hey I was at the game tonight. Actually most of the games (except 2) this year and to tell you the truth, we have a coach who needs to lead by example and focus more on showing his players a lot more composure then he does. The blogger is right here Ken is a classless looser. Look at the games he has been suspended or lost badly he blames the refs. Tonight we saw a Klipper team that knows how to handle a puck, crisp passes, speed etc.. When what people determine as bad reffing takes place a good coach knows how to handle his emotions better and get potential out of his players to work above that. Last year Laronge played short handed many games, many time they could say they were "picked on" but Bob and Gavin (the coaches) kept their composure and rose above opposition to beat the opposition on the ice despite what people would claim is bad reffing. It is a cop out for a coach to use that as an excuse anytime. Ken is not a coach he is a sore looser he was out coached. Ken has been out coached a lot this year and some of his trades are very questionable to say the least. As a Star fan I personally feel Ken showed a lack of class and composure I expect more out of our coach then going on the tyraid he did. In the end his little rant will cost the organization money and suspension at a time when Ken needs to know Nipewan is coming on strong. Ken represents our team and our community as the face of the Stars organization and I hope he is suspended big time team fined large, tonight was unaccptable behaviour for a coach and GM of a team trying to stay out of the basement of our division. I sit on that side what I saw is a frustrated coach blaming the refs for the loss. I thought when he called the time out he was going to settle his team down instead he was out classed by a better team (despite the refing). I think the Board of Directors of the Stars needs to seriously look at making a move. Attendance is down, Ken is non existent in the comminuty as the General Manger and for the Stars to make ends meet here in the Battleford's we need folks to go to the games. Ken was hired to not only coach but to run the business end time for the orgainization to step up and focus on more then just the product on the ice but looking at the P&L of running an SJHL team in 2010. Fan support is waining, Ken showing that kind of frustration tells me as a Star fan we have a flaw. The Stars have a classless coach who can't take the pressure of the SJHL bad reffing or not time to step up and be the coach of an SJHL team!
Tonight's game was text book for hockey refs "How to lose control of a game by being inconsistent". I agree with Dan's tweet on Klassen. He must have known what the consequences were going to be when he beaked at the ref but by the 3rd period it was too much for anyone to handle. Good on ya, Woody! If KK's new coach has any b***s, he will back Ken up on at least one of his complaints. I saw the look on the KK coaching staff and they were as shocked as everyone in the stands when there was no call on Tatch's breakaway/interference situation. I'm surprised Ken kept his cool as long as he did for this game.
Sorry for putting my comments in three times new at this Blogger thing.
First Thing Get your hesd out of your butt.You must have been at another game or not on this planet.You call yourself a north star fan i don't think so.If you think tonights game was refed properly you have rocks in your head.I support ken's actions tonight 100 percent.
Again, a good coach rises above oppostion even from refs.
We need to see the big picture we got beat end of story, we move on hopefully win against Flin Flon.
Actually the ref didnt lose the game for the stars tonight, nor did ken pearson. Klassen, Hildebrand, Oak, and Folstad lost the game for the stars. the ref did miss some calls and the north stars killed most of their penalties off. However, Klassens penalties and 10 minute misconduct was a joke, we count on him late in the game and he took himself out of the game with undisciplined penalties. Hildebrand beaked the ref and put his team down 5 on 3 for almost the full 2 minutes, what are you thinking hildy? Oak and Folstad both take undisciplined penalties in the last four minutes of the game when your only down by two, the game was not out of reach, but it is out of reach when your shorthanded. Again very undisciplined penalties. One for beaking the ref and one for running the goalie. How about fighting someone if you want to change the momentum of a game. the north stars had their backs against the wall because of the refing but lost this game because of their own undisciplined penalties as a reaction to the refing. I was at the game, anyone disagree with this, let me know why?
I agree on Kens actions 100%. I as a fan was getting frustrated, I couldnt imagine down on the bench. I would of done the same thing. And BTW, I did see Beatty lose his marbles last year as well. It was legit, just like this. It shows the coach has emotions for the game. I agree with poster 5, I havent seen worse reffing as this ever, not even in Peewee or bantam. Before Ken got angry, he called the ref over to ask him a question and the ref completely ignorned him. Ken was wanting an explanation on the call and the ref wouldnt talk to him. Also 10 PP to 2? The Klippers were not angels to only get 2 penaltys that resulted in a pp. The Klippers did alot of stuff after the whistle and were not angels. I am embarrassed to say the ref officiates in the SJHL.
I disagree. KK was doing the EXACT same thing as the stars were, Duzan wouldnt stop crying to the ref,Domment was beaking, and they never got disiplined for it. As soon as woody says something he gets a penalty. I know woody and Ive seen him play here for the last 3 seasons. Hes the easiest going guy you will ever meet, If he got mad, you know there was a problem, I agree with that statement, 100%. Hildebrand was knocked over and there was no call, i think thats what he was mad about.. The stars hit there goalie and we get called for it. As a fan i am embarrassed to think this guy reffed at this level. Ive played hockey and different sports and it gets VERRRRY frustrating not knowing what you can and cant do, when 2 sets of rules are used. Ken is a classy guy and i would of lost my marbles wayy before he did.
Here is what lost the game:
Goal #1 Oak out for too long of a shift and turns the puck over in slot to their top line
Goal #2 Stars 4th line out against their top line.
Goal #3 Hildy puts us down 5 on 3, KK top line scores
Goal #4 Wakelin fans on puck and turns it over in slot.
Goal # 5 PP goal just like goal #3 KK top line scores again
The joke in stripes lost the game actually.
Again, my last comment about our coach. A good coach sits a player down even during a game and makes him think about his actions. Kindersley is a fast team, crisp passers, the Stars were on their heals a lot. And yes your right even the folks sitting around me were commenting on the stupid penalties the Stars took at times. The reason lack of discipline for sure. That is where a good coach "coaches" his players on the bench rather then throw sticks and water bottles, etc. It was like as though he wanted to get kicked out after all during his tirant the ref had his back to him most of the time until the part when the ref skated to the penalty box area. Lack of discipline from a lot of players. Ken is paid to show some restraint no matter the frustration level. Shows a lack of discipline. Anyways go Stars! Hope we beat Flin Flon on thursday!
I'm of the opinion you have never been in a coaches position. When the game is so close, you get very involved in the game. Ken showed emotion, I wouldnt of expected anything less.. Mann has done it before, Beatty has done it before. I even saw babcock do it once in Detroit on national televison. It gets frustrating. The Klippers would not of won that game if the stars had as many powerplays as they did. The only reason they won was because of the PP opportunity's they were not much better than we were.
why dont all you know it all's apply for the coaching job then? if your a real fan you dont rush home after each game to tear a strip off the players or the coaches. time to grow up
Come on Dan, don't delete comments. None of the other bloggers delete comments. Look at Ullrich's blog right now, there's all kinds of stuff written on there. I would think that as a news reporter you would be against censorship. Aren't you supposed to present an unbiased view? Why is it okay for one poster allowed to voice his opinion and say that 4 players lost the game for the entire team but I can't voice my opinion about our fearless leader? You have your head so far up Ken's ass that you can't allow anyone to criticize him. You favour the players he favours (Birch, Schwab). You should quit your job as a reporter and get a new one as Ken's boyfriend. By the way, this is mostly for your benefit since I know you'll delete it.
Brad: Grow up.... Ken doesnt favor anyone.. he plays 4 lines every night. of course hes gonna have a #1 line and a bottom line. Be lucky that we have a guy like Dan that allows us to even post. He can delete anything he feels to be in apropriate.. Grow up man.
Brad,
You say that no other bloggers delete comments? Come on! Most bloggers I know (check out my blog-roll) have the same policies I do. For you to say that nobody else deletes inappropriate comments is false. Big time.
Secondly, I've only deleted three comments for this particular post. Two were a duplicate copy of #7. And the other comment was purely insulting. It had no merit, no evidence, just an insult.
I've said countless times that this blog was created for fans to come and voice their opinions. In my opinion there is a difference between a valid, well-thought opinion, and an insult. If you want to insult players and coaches, go to the SJHL Forum. That's not how I conduct business here. If you don't like it? Stop reading and stop posting.
As far as your remarks about me? Again, if you don't like me, or the way I do things, then why are you contributing? Why must you stir the pot? At least 200 readers a day seem to enjoy their time here, and they do so without insulting players, coaches or the writer.
Congratulations, you're post will not be deleted. But if I were you, I'd want it deleted, because I think your post is inaccurate and very easy for (others) to scrutinize.
Would you like me to delete it for your benefit?
I do agee that Ken can be a good coach. But it seems like the 20 year old players have control over the bench. From the games I watched, they stay out as long as they want and nothing is said and out they go again. They get tired and the end result is mistakes, sometimes costly ones. Some of these players can't even make a tape to tape pass, pick up a pass and some of them are terrible skaters. He traded away some of his best skilled players and kept these guys, because of grit!! Some of the trades are the talk of the town. If they don't want to go further with hockey then join a beer league and when recruiting players that is what the coach needs to look at. Take players who want to be developed and work with them instead of trading them because they make a few mistakes or have one bad game. You need more than 2 skilled lines to win games. As for the refs, they can make some bruital calls, but if you are going to react in this manner, they will hold it against you game after game. Players and coaches need to keep their composure or you will get the same result from the refs next game. I do agree that some players are favored and if you are from Manitoba or Saskatchewan you won't be traded regardless how you play.
Wow Brad you are a real classy guy (not).Were You At the game doesnt seem like it anybody with half a brain could see the so called ref was brutal.All the stars and the coach wanted an explanation but when the ref is completely one sided anyone would lose it.None of the shit that happened on the ice would not have happened if the ref would have done a proper job.I sure hope someone was video tapeing the game and turn it in to the league to show the brutal officiating,so this kind of shit will stop.
The 23 post where it says if your from Sask or Manitobia you wont be traded.... Come on..... Give me a break. Calder Neufeld- SASK traded, Shay Neufeld- Sask traded.... Nathan Tomac Sask... Traded. And the stars have more than 2 lines... They have the most balanced scoring in the SJ. The players that were traded were really not suprises.. Daley, he was very skilled but didnt do much along the boards etc. With Grondin he is way more complete. Morrissey was good, but he was inconsistent. The other 1992 were more consitent on a more regular basis.
Daley is a good kid and a good player. He is a very skilled forward who needed to be playing with players who play like him. Your top two lines are usually the most skilled players. If Daley was given that opportunity, he would have been fine. As for Morrissey being inconsistent, his line was inconsistent. He was bounced from line to line with some games having D as the other forwards. There didn't seem to be room for him as a skilled played on the team. He wasn't given the opportunity to play on a skilled line as the other 92 were. You need to develop these kids for down the road.
These kids are not perfect hockey players they all need development. They will all make mistakes and they will have bad games. Even NHL players have bad games and they are not perfect. Work with the team you have and development them.
But 20 players must want to play.
One of the Neufeld players quit and one was traded and the rumor is Tomac quite as well.
I agree, Pearson traded too many of his skilled players early and too many that had depth and maturity both on and off the ice. The cost? A team that is struggling and will continue to struggle to stay out of the basement. Shallow coach, shallow team. I also heard the young Neufeld and Tomac quit - sad reflection on the Jr. A system especially considering how Neufeld appears to be lighting up the Jr B league. Huge loss. And Daley and older Neufeld? Wow. What on earth possesed Ken to trade either of those players? They were both committed players who brought tons to the table. Oh well, I guess the "grit" is paying off, you need guys who can take unnecessary undisciplined penalties and cost the team goals at crucial times of the game. They serve as a great shadow for Ken's own undisciplined sloppy coaching.
Neufeld played for four teams in 2.5 years. You call that commitment?
The stars had too much skill and not enough meat and potatoes. Now theyve got that. Last nights game showed what the stars are made of. They could of folded the tent when the ref missed blatent calls. Tatch scored the SH goal and the team never gave up. With one team having 10 PP and the other team having 2, the stars played a good game.
To all the DON Cherries out there give your heads a shake.All i hear is all about these talented players that were traded.If they were that good ken would not have traded them.He is the coach of the stars if you think you can do a better job step up to the plate.If not keep your comments to yourself.I think the trades that ken made were very good for the team,we have seem how these boys can play they can beat any team in the sj you know it and i know it.So enough negetive comments about the coach and players and lets support there efforts.
calder neufeld lighting up junior B isn't a big accomplishment. they call if the jungle for a reason, its terrible hockey
To the complainers about the coach and players of the north stars,just check out the klippers blog. I need not say anymore about the ref see for yourself what the klippers fans saw to.
To Brad said ... ullrich removed ALL the comments from his blog, apparently too many negative against him.
Okay "Brad". I would be glad if a stupid comment I made was deleted so I didn't have to embarrass myself. Unfortunately for you the blogger hasn't deleted your most ridiculous post, and now the whole world can see what an idiot you are. You're just oh so mature.
I took a 24 hour timeout to cool down after the Kindersley game - hopefully a few of the cynics have regained their senses.
Even the biggest Ken Pearson supporter, which I am, has to agree that our team and our coaches have both been undisciplined at times and it has hurt us. What I can't believe are the criticisms of Ken Pearson as a GM. Ken inherited a team that had won 5 games the year before, and a player list that was in worse shape. In two years he rebuilt both our roster and our player list. He didn't spend a bunch of money buying players. He just kept trading up and winning trade after trade - sort of like the guy who started with the red paper clip and ended up with a house.
People are even complaining about the Daley trade - give me a break. Josh was a very nice young man who was too timid to make use of his skills. Daley got three goals in Dauphin right after the trade, is still looking for #4 and they can't move him. Compare that to Grondin's success with us - a legitimate sniper, especially when he plays with Tatchell.
If you want to grumble about Ken's mistakes as a Coach, go ahead. He isn't perfect, but he is learning. Don't even think about criticizing him as a GM - he has out performed everybody in the league in that department over the last 2 years.
Or the Luhning trade....Wow... haha. Traded Lemay to Nipawin for Luhning and Pafual. Lemay lasted a month in Nipawin before going back to the QMJHL and they never saw him again. Luhning is here, made the propects game and is one of our best defencemen. Paufaul is playing in the dub and there is still a chance the stars could get him hes only 17. What about the Folstad trade?? haha. Traded Leclerc and Iron for Folstad and Swenson. Leclerc had a decent year in Nipawin, Folstad blossomed last year and is a legit Allstar. Iron lasted 2 games in Nipawain and they released him. Swenson is one of the top defencemen in the SMAAAHL. Ken got Phaneuf for nothing and is top 10 in league scoring. I feel he is the best in the business. Every coach cant be expected to win every year. Look at Beatty 2 years ago. never made the playoffs. Biette last year didnt even make the playoffs and are real contenders this year with Estevan.
What is your source regarding Josh Daley? MJHL website shows him with 14 goals and 12 assists in 27 games...
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