Klippers headed to the Cup Finals

* Article courtesy of sjhl.ca

Kirk Pearce played the role of hero in game six as he scored at 4:27 of the second overtime as the Klippers defeated Melville 3-2 to win the series 4-games-to-2.

The Klippers took advantage of quick strikes all series long and they did that again late in the second period to go ahead 2-0 as Ryan Sawka, quiet all series long, scored twice in a span of 1:16. It was Sawka’s first two goals of the series as it was his turn to shine during a time in which linemates Brett Leedahl and Jonathan Redlick had a field day at Melville’s expense. Leedahl, who leads all SJHLers with 24-points in 14-playoff games, finished the series with five goals and nine points. Redlick had three goals and nine points. Sawka still battled and finished with seven points as Melville’s failure to contain the best line in the league was their undoing.

Ryan Nieszner was within 3:43 of a shutout, but the Mils showed how they can be gutsy in their own right by scoring two quick late third period markers courtesy of Matt Kinnunen and Kale Dolinski.

The Klippers outscored Melville 11-4 during the third period and overtime, winning twice in OT in the series. This, despite being outshot by the Millionaires in every single contest (final shots in game six still pending Sunday night).

Nieszner, who took over from Matt Weninger in the first period of game one, was a standout in the series as well as he posted a 2.13-GAA and a .940-SPCT.

The Klippers were also able to do something the rest of the SJHL hadn’t been able to do since late January, and that was get to Joe Rodwell. Rodwell, who was apparently injured, ended the series with a 2.75-GAA and a .904-SPCT, which was well below his overall numbers of 1.81 and .932 in the playoffs.

Playoff dates for Kindersley and Humboldt will be posted on the SJHL website as soon as they are finalized.