It was an exciting back and forth game at the AGT Centre in Rosetown Saturday night between Nipawin and Kindersley. The teams traded chances in the opening period, and Nipawin opened the scoring, with Braxton Buckberger lighting the lamp for his 14th of the season. 

The Klippers answered back just a few minutes later, as Spencer Paplawski tipped in an Ethan Hilbig shot from the point to tie the score. This was Hilbig's first game in 2023 due to an injury he sustained in December. The goal was Paplawski's 8th of season, and the other assist went to Tyson Tisdale. 

The second period was a penally filled stanza, with Plenty native Carson Dobson going to the box twice for the Hawks. Aidan Taylor also was in the box a pair of times in the period for the Klippers. 

The Hawks took the lead on an even strength goal by Boxberger, his second of the evening. Kindersley survived a late 5-on-3 opportunity, and they trailed by just one heading into the third period. 

Aidan Taylor then made up for his couple of times in the sin bin with a beautiful goal on a typical burst of speed for the SJHL rookie. This was Taylor's 3rd goal of the season about halfway through the third. Nipawin had plenty of chances but could not beat goaltender Cody Jaman, and the teams went to overtime.

Nothing was solved in the extra session, and the game had to be settled in the shootout. Dobson scored what ended up being the winner as the second shooter for the Hawks, and Alex Johnson, who had a solid game for Nipawin, scored the clincher to give Kindersley yet another extra time loss. The Klippers have won just one in the shootout, while falling five times. They also have two overtime losses. 

Robbie was ecstatic to be playing in front of the home crowd, as he never thought he would play a Jr. game in his home barn, he stated in an interview after the game. It was an experience he will never forget and feels the team has been going through peaks and valleys and are currently playing their best hockey of the season.  

Meanwhile Dobson was humbled to playing in an arena he did so much as a youth, and said it was a very unique experience. 

Nipawin keeps rolling, as this is their fifth straight victory. Kindersley will start a four games in five-day road swing in Weyburn Tuesday night.

Country 104 will have the call, with the Murlin Electronics pregame show beginning at 6:45 pm. 

Klippers in Rosetown Jan 21 23The Jr. Klippers in front of the Gasper Family memorial on the boards of the AGT Centre in Rosetown.