The Kindersley Jr. Klippers kept their season alive on Wednesday night, defeating the Melfort Mustangs 3-2 in overtime to stay in the hunt in the first round of the SJHL series. The win also marked the club's first playoff victory since 2019.
After good starts in Games 2 and 3, the Klippers managed to survive a first period onslaught from the Mustangs in Game 4. Cody Jaman got the start for Kindersley and made 17 of his 29 saves on the night in the opening frame, as the Klippers managed to escape relatively unharmed only down 1-0 after a Melfort powerplay goal.
The second period started with an early powerplay for the Klippers, but they were unable to capitalize. Off-setting penalties in the middle of the period led to some 4 on 4 action as neither team seemed to gain an edge in the middle frame. The Klippers held the Mustangs to only eight shots in the second as their game tightened up, but a Melfort goal from Reilley Kotai with two minutes remaining doubled the Mustangs lead headed into the third.
Another pair of off-setting penalties started the final period. Shortly after the two sides got back to full strength the Klippers caught a break as Logan Keup picked up a double minor for high sticking, and on the first half of the ensuing powerplay hometown Klipper Ethan Sautner scored his first career SJHL playoff goal to get his team back within one.
The Klippers kept the pressure on but were unable to score with their remaining time left on the powerplay, failing to score on another powerplay coming a few minutes later after Melfort got caught with too many men. The Klippers weren't short on chances in the third putting up a game high 10 shots, the most exciting chance coming as Cobe Perlinger had his stick knocked out of his hands on a breakaway causing a ruckus around the rink.
More rough stuff with under 4 minutes to play sent Tristin Ziola and Cam Perlinger to the penalty box. Once again going 4 on 4, Wil Christian banged one in following a Kyler Smith rush from his own end to electrify the crowd and send things to overtime.
IF THERE’S A WIL THERE’S A WAY!
— Iron Horse Kindersley Klippers (@KlippersHockey) March 27, 2025
We’re heading to OVERTIME!#SJHLPlayoffs | #GoKlippersGo pic.twitter.com/cOBInjfbuK
The tight playoff game had fans preparing for the possibility of multiple overtimes, but it didn't take long for the Klippers to spill over the boards in victory as Shayne Tibbles hooked up with Christian and Mason Bueckert to score the game winner just over five minutes in.
THE APPLE FARMER! SHAYNE TIBBLES IN OVERTIME!!!!!#SJHLPlayoffs | #KlippersWin pic.twitter.com/qGznXMyduT
— Iron Horse Kindersley Klippers (@KlippersHockey) March 27, 2025
Staying alive against the SJHL's top team, the #8 seed Klippers will now reset for a trip back to Melfort on Saturday for Game 5. The Klippers were helped out mightily in Game 4 by staying out of the penalty box, only surrendering three powerplays last night after giving up 21 man-advantage opportunities through the first three games.
If the Klippers can get the job done in Melfort, Game 6 would be played Monday night in Kindersley, 7:30 PM from Inter Pipeline Arena.
View a photo gallery from Wednesday night's game below, including some up-close shots of the Klippers post-game celebration.
