Klippers Even Up Series, Broncos Win Game 1!

The Kindersley Klippers earned a split on the road as they got by the Melville Millionaires 3-2 in oT on Saturday night in Melville.

Brett Leedahl scored his first of the playoffs 14:54 into the first period to give the Klippers a 1-0 lead. Ryan Sawka and Justin Perreaux assisted on the goal. The Klippers took a 2-0 lead at 7:57 of the second period when Jonathan Redlick scored his third goal of the series from Sawka and Leedahl. Kale Dolinski brought the Millionaires within one before the end of the second period as he also scored his third of the series from Dion Campbell and Brad Johnston. With the net empty and on the power play, the Millionaires tied the game with 56 seconds remaining in regulation as Dion Campbell took the shot from the point which was tipped by Daniel Hope to make it 2-2. Bryant Dyke also assisted on the goal. Leedahl would be the overtime hero with just one second remaining in the overtime period as he would pick up his second goal of the game from Milo Miller and Redlick to even up the series. Ryan Nieszner got his first start of the playoffs and the SJHL all star did not disappoint as he made 41 saves for the win. Joe Rodwell took the loss despite making stopping 29 of the 32 shots he faced. The series shifts to Kindersley now for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

In Humboldt, the Broncos scored 7 unanswered goals on there way to a 7-1 blowout victory over the visiting Flin Flon Bombers. Voldy Dashko and Matthew Kirzinger each had a goal and an assist for the Broncos. Edward Gale, Justin Stoski, Tory Allan, Tanner Vandesype and Shawn Hunter also scored for Humboldt. Steven Schroeder added two assists for the Broncos who also got helpers from Jordan Schindel, Matt Rintoul, Russell Nielsen, Brady Wacker and Scott Schroeder. Matt Dyck scored the lone Bombers goal from Barrett Penner and Harley Garrioch. The Bombers had to play much of the game without two defensemen as Jean-Sebastien Bergeron was ejected for a checking from behind infraction and Michael Young was ejected after receiving a boarding major and game misconduct. Taylor Nelson made 34 saves through 57 plus minutes of work and Andrew Bodnarchuk came in for the final couple of minutes of the game. Carsen Chubak got the start for the Bombers stopping 36 shots.

- Brad M.