It’s time for the final Three Stars of the Week. Over the course of the season, Stampeder players have been collecting points week-to-week with the top three players being recognized and presented with an award during our final home game of the regular season.
The Swan Valley Stampeders went 3/3 last week, outscoring their opponents 13-4 and pushing their win streak to seven games. The last time the Stampeders did that was during the 2018-19 season when Swan Valley pushed their way to the MJHL Finals against Portage. Let that marinate for a minute…
The Stampeders started the week with a 5-2 win against the Neepawa Titans Wednesday night at the Centennial Arena. Adam Rajsigl, Justin Keck (2) and Steven Arp (2) all found the back of the net while Kobe Grant collected his 24th win of the season stopping 34/36 shots he faced.
The Stampeders followed that up with one of their best performances of the year, defeating the Steinbach Pistons 2-1 in a shootout. Owen Harris scored early in the first period but the Pistons tied it up on a power play early in the third period. Overtime solved nothing as both goaltenders put on a clinic. It came down to the shootout Friday night at the Centennial Arena. Myles Mason and Josh Danis scored for the home squad and Grant stood tall, collecting his league-leading 25th win of the season.
Swan wrapped up the week with a 6-1 win against the Niverville Nighthawks, pushing their win streak to seven straight games. Alex Walicki, Warren Marcotte (2G), Josh Danis Collin Jennings and Justin Keck lead the way offensively while Loic Mainguy-Crepault was lights out in the Stampeder net, stopping 36/37 shots he faced in the win.
THREE STARS (Mar. 5 – Mar. 12)
3rd Star
Steven Arp returns to the three stars of the week and did so in a big way. The 18-year-old from Swan River, MB collected a pair of goals against Neepawa Wednesday, Mar. 8 and followed that up with an assist against the Niverville Nighthawks Saturday. Arp, sits with 28 points (11G, 17A), in 49 games this season.
2nd Star
Justin Keck had another strong week for the Stampeders, collecting four points in three games. The 20-year-old from Morris, MB picked up two goals and an assist against Neepawa. He closed out the week with a goal against Niverville Saturday night at the Centennial Arena. Keck, sits second in team scoring with 63 points (31G, 32A).
1st Star
Kobe Grant has been the hottest goaltender in the league as of late and proved yet again that he deserves the first star of the week. Stopping 67/70 shots he faced in a pair of games against Neepawa and Steinbach. The Vernon, BC product helped the team earn a home playoff series advantage in the first round. The 21-year-old posted a 1.44 GAA and a .957 SV% during his two appearances. Grant sits first in the MJHL with 25 wins and first in the league with a .933 SV%.
The top three stars of the week will be released Friday, Mar. 17. They will be recognized and awarded prior to puck drop against Virden.
The “Three Stars of the Week” was brought to us by Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium