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 being collected 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 split a pair of games against the Virden Oil Capitals this past weekend to kick off a four-game mini-series.
Both teams are nearly identical on paper and it was certainly great hockey to watch this past weekend.
The Stampeders kicked off the weekend with a huge 4-3 win on home ice, a win that was much needed to create some separation in the standing between the two teams. The win Friday night at the Centennial Arena gave the Stampeders something they haven’t seen since their series against OCN to start the year, a back-to-back win. Noah Fladager had a huge game for his club, scoring 52 seconds into the game. Jacob Paler-Chow found his way onto the score sheet, collecting his first as a Stampeder in the second period while Carter Cockburn scored his second of the year to tie the game 3-3, 4:51 into the third period. Fladager added his second of the game at the 15:15 mark, closing out the scoring with an unbelievable backhand goal that held up to be the game-winner.
Saturday’s game was essentially all Virden. The Oil Capitals scored two in the first and three in the third, including an empty-net goal, to down the Stampeders 5-2. Swan River products Carter Cockburn and Trey Sauder were the only two Stampeders to score in Saturday nights 5-2 loss at Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
A roller coaster ride, a bumpy start, one step forward, one step back – all terms that have been used to describe the Swan Valley Stampeders this year. One thing is for sure, the Stampeders need to stop giving their opponents power plays and find a way to score at a more consistent pace.
The Stampeders had a chance to close the gap between themselves and second place overall in the West Division, and separate themselves from the Virden Oil Capitals, but failed to do so with a weekend split with the team that’s tied with them for third overall.
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 (Oct. 24 – Oct. 31)
3rd Star
Trey Sauder picks up his first-ever three stars of the week award with the Swan Valley Stampeders. The Swan River native collected a goal and an assist in two games against Virden. The 18-year-old collected an assist in the game’s first goal Friday night on home ice and followed that up with a power-play marker late in the third period during Saturday night’s 5-2 loss in Virden. The 6’0” 190 lbs forward sits ninth in team scoring with two goals and five assists.
2nd Star
Noah Fladager slides into the second star of the week slot after a massive game for the 20-year-old Friday night at the Centennial Arena. The Campbell River, BC native opened the scoring 52 seconds into the game Friday night, then closed it out with a filthy backhand goal with 4:45 left in regulation. The 5’9” 165 lbs shifty forward now sits sixth in team scoring with five goals and five assists.
1st Star
Carter Cockburn takes over as this week’s first star recipient. The Swan River product had a big weekend for his team scoring two goals and adding an assist in a split with the Virden Oil Capitals. The 6’2” 194 lbs forward scored the game-tying goal 4:51 into the third period of Friday night’s 4-3 win. The 20-year-old followed that up with a goal and an assist in a 5-2 loss Saturday night in Virden. Cockburn sits fourth in team scoring with three goals and 10 assists.
Honourable mentions this week go to Jacob Paler-Chow (1G, 1A) and Adam Rajsigl (2A).
The Stampeders will have a quick turn-around this week as they will travel back to Virden Thursday, Nov. 4. They will then host the Oil Capitals in their fourth and final matchup of the four-game mini-series Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Centennial Arena.
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 this week leading up to our home game Saturday, Oct. 29. You can purchase your tickets early by clicking the icon below
STANDINGS (Point Leaders)
8 – Jamie Valentino
8 – Cody Barnes
4 – Adam Rajsigl
3 – Jackson Betcher
3 – Jordan Gagnon
2 – Carter Cockburn
2 – Dylan Black
1 – Quinn Mulder
1 – Noah Fladager
1 – Myles Mason
1 – Darius Makse