It’s time for another Three Stars of the Week, which is brought to you by Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium. Every Monday we will be awarding three players who had a big week and giving them stars. We will be doing this week-to-week with points accumulating throughout the season. The top three will players will be recognized and presented an award during our final home game of the season.
The Swan Valley Stampeders went 3-1 last week defeating the Selkirk Steelers and beating the Winkler Flyers twice. The Stampeders did take a loss to the Winkler Flyers Friday night at the Centennial Arena but it was another hard-fought effort.
For the first time this year, the Stampeders played four games in one week and to me, that was a huge turning point for the young men. The effort by everyone last week was off the charts and very noticeable by everyone watching the Stampeders play. The two games a week stalled any progress the Stampeders would achieve and had them in a bit of a rut. Coming off a tough series to the Dauphin Kings, the Stamp’s needed to find a groove and that they did at the Showcase and that has continued right through all four of their games last week.
Swan Valley travelled to the MJHL Showcase where they faced off against two eastern division opponents in the Winkler Flyers and the Selkirk Steelers. Swan Valley would skate to a 4-1 win over the Flyers Monday night in Portage la Prairie and beat the Selkirk Steelers 4-2 Tuesday afternoon.
The Stampeders returned home for back-to-back games against the Winkler Flyers Friday and Saturday night at the Centennial Arena. On paper, the Flyers would get the slight edge in wins and losses but these two teams are identical in how they play and it was on the edge of your seat action. The competition level between these two teams is off the charts, they block shots, both teams finish their checks and know when to capitalize on their scoring chances. It was the real deal this weekend at the Centennial Arena and felt more like a playoff series than a regular season two-game series.
Another huge story these past two weeks has been Kobe Grant. The 19-year-old from Vernon, BC has been lights out for his team and gives them a chance to win every single time he starts. Over the course of the four games last week (three wins, one loss), he stopped 126 of the 135 shots he faced, posting a 2.49 GAA and a .933 SV%.
The “Three Stars of the Week” is brought to you by Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium, and will be awarded week-to-week with points being collected throughout the season. The top three will players will be recognized at the end of the season.
Three stars point system is as follows:
1st Star = 3 points
2nd Star = 2 points
3rd Star = 1 point
Check back every Monday for the Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium, Three Stars of the week.
THREE STARS (Nov. 21 – Nov. 28)
3rd Star
Jackson Betcher re-enters the Three Stars of the Week with several strong performances this past week. The 20-year-old Swan River product collected two goals and added three assists helping his club go 3-1 last week against Selkirk and Winkler (x3). Betcher sits fourth in team scoring with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points.
2nd Star
Kobe Grant has been lights out in the Swan Valley net since taking over the starting goaltender duties from Dylan Black, who is out with an injury. The 19-year-old Vernon, BC product went 3-1 last week posting a 2.25 GAA and a .933 SVS%. He also picked up one assist at the Showcase in Portage against the Winkler Flyers.
1st Star
Quinn Mulder takes over this week’s first star award. The Terrace, BC product had a massive week for the Stampeders scoring three goals while adding two assists. The 20-year-old sits first overall in team scoring with eight goals and 12 assists.
The Stampeders will have a few days off to prepare for their next opponent who they haven’t seen yet this year. Swan Valley will take their game on the road Saturday, Dec. 4 (6:15 pm) and Sunday, Dec. 5 (2:00 pm) against the Winnipeg Freeze. The next home action for the Stampeders will be Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec.11 against Selkirk. Those two games are their only two home games in all of December. Please get your tickets and come cheer on your hometown team.
Game day tickets can be purchased by clicking the image below.
You can also pick up your tickets at Patty’s Sports Excellence or at the door.
Also, our online 50/50 tickets can be purchased anytime during the week leading up to our home games Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec.11. You can purchase your tickets early by clicking the icon below.
STANDINGS (Point Leaders)
8 – Cody Barnes
7 – Carter Cockburn
4 – Adam Rajsigl
3 – Tyler Park
3 – Jacob Paler-Chow
3 – Kobe Grant
3 – Justin Keck
3 – Quinn Mulder
3 – Noah Fladager
3 – Jackson Betcher
2 – Callum Fortin
2 – Dylan Black
1 – Trey Sauder
1 – Myles Mason
1 – Darius Makse