SWHL — The busiest week of the season so far had nine games. Week 11 kicked off on Wed, Jan 11 with the first place Kindersley Klippers travelling to Edam and dropping an exciting 7-6 OT battle. Kendall Fransoo got the overtime winner at the 2:12 mark.
Jake Taylor stopped 37 of 43 for Edam while Mitch Wall had a (2-3) night for the 3 Stars. Shayne Neigum (1-2) led the Klippers’ offence and Luke Sproule turned aside 41 of 48 shots.
Macklin played Wilkie in Biggar, Jan. 12, a game that was moved due to ice plant issues in Wilkie. This is the first time that last year’s finalists met, and Wilkie prevailed 10-5 in a wide open contest.
The Outlaws’ balanced attack had four two goal efforts: Ryan Keller (2-2), Ryne Keller (2-2), Rick Cey (2-1) and Blake Young (2-0). Spencer Bast had three assists for the Mohawks.
Wilkie was back in Biggar again Jan. 13 to take on the Nationals. Wilkie won their eighth game in a row, by a score of 7-3. Import Ryan Keller (3-1) led the Outlaws, giving him an eight-point weekend.
Curtis Sander was solid for Wilkie stopping 36 of 39 shots; Brett Matlock had a busy time, stopping 45 of 52 for the Nats.
Also on Jan. 13, Hafford beat the visiting Unity Miners 7-3. Joel Gryzbowski turned away 35 of 38 for the Hawks. Jeremy Boyer(1-2) and Kyle Litchenwald (1-2) paced Haffords’ offence. Young Mark Ganter (1-1) was Unity’s top forward.
The Klippers stormed into Macklin Jan.14 and beat the Mohawks 6-2. Travis Child had a solid game in net stopping 34 of 36. Kindersley’s high octane offence was powered by Djay McGrath (1-2), David Dziurzynski (1-3) and Kyle Donaldson (2-0).
Biggar made the trip down Highway 51 the same day and dropped a 6-4 decision to the hometown Kerrobert Tigers. Brett Neumeier (2-0) and Rylan Freed (1-2) led Kerrobert up front. Goaltender Nik Amundrud was sensational, facing 46 shots with only four beating him. Veterans Jonathan Redlich (2-1) and Brett Novak (0-3), were Biggar’s top offensive players.
Edam continues to have Hafford’s number, shutting the Hawks out 4-0 in Hafford. Edam’s workhorse goalie Jake Taylor got his remarkable third shutout of the season, turning aside all 32 shots. Cody Danberg (2-0) and Joel Blaquiere (1-1) led Edam up front.
A tired Tiger club travelled to Hafford Jan. 15 and came up short by a score of 6-4. Familiar names, Colby Daniels (2-0), Brandon Lesko(0-3) and Jeremy Boyer (1-2) led the Hawks’ attack. Joel Gryzbowski recorded his second win of the weekend, stopping
32 of 36 shots. Kerrobert got strong performances from import Adam Osczevski (1-1) and Nik Amundrud earned his keep, kicking out 50 of 56.
The most anticipated game of the weekend had Edam making the long trek to do battle with the Klippers. The hard working 3 Stars held a 3-2 lead going in to the third period . Then the Klippers erupted for four third period goals and won by a score of 6-3.
With this win, the Klippers wrapped up first place with an impressive (13-1) record. DJ McGrath (1-2) continued to put up points. Travis Child got his second win in two nights stopping 19 of 22.
Joel Blaquiere (1-1) and Brady Deobold (1-1) had multi-point games for the visitors. Jake Taylor was outstanding in net facing 41 shots.
Week 11 had a number of outstanding performances. Honourable mention goes to Kindersley’s DJ McGrath (4-3), and Travis Child, stopping 53 of 58 shots and chalking up two crucial wins. An honourable mention also goes to Wilkie’s ageless Ryan Keller, (5-3) in two games. Hafford’s Joel Gryzbowski backstopped the Hawks to two big wins, stopping 67 of 74. Jake Taylor continued his great season for Edam, facing 124 shots and stopping 112 in three games. Taylor managed his third shutout in his 12 starts, so far, which is rare in any league.
Week 11 Player of the Week, as chosen by Joe Cey, league president, goes to a goaltender in the SWHL league who “generally doesn’t get the attention he deserves. Kerrobert Tigers’ Nik Amundrud gets the nod. Amundrud was crazy busy facing 102 shots in two games , stopping 92 of them and coming away with a one win, one loss weekend. Congratulations, Nik,” said Cey.
— Submitted
