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 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 week, finishing off a four-game mini-series between the two clubs.
The Stampeders have been very inconsistent in the first 15 games this year and that was ultimately their downfall Saturday night on home ice.
But let’s back up here a minute and talk about their win last Thursday. Swan Valley proved they could be a very tough team to play against Thursday night in Virden. Goaltending, a constant forecheck, staying out of the penalty box and the entire team chipping in offensively is what you need to win in this league. All four of the above-mentioned items gave the Stampeders a huge edge over another highly gifted team in the West Division at Tundra Oil & Gas Place Thursday, Nov. 4.
The scoring was started by, a forecheck, which led to a turnover in the offensive zone and Jacob Paler-Chow made no mistake getting things going early on. Justin Keck, who was just acquired from the Humboldt Broncos Tuesday, Nov. 2, didn’t disappoint. The 19-year-old from Morris, MB collected two goals in his Stampeder debut – also scoring off a forecheck by Ethan Matchim which led to a turnover – where Brad Fortin found a wide-open Keck giving the Stamps’ a 4-3 lead. Off the ensuing face-off, Mulder created another turnover, grabbed the loose puck and scored six seconds later – giving the Stampeders a 5-3 lead. Mulder added an empty-net goal with one second left on the clock and the Stamps skated to a 6-4 win.
But then there was Saturday night – a very undisciplined game, which the Oil Capitals pushed all the right buttons to get under the skin of the Stampeders and the parade to the penalty box started once again. Because of that parade to the penalty box, the Oil Capitals were able to score on three of the nine-man advantages. On top of all of that, the forecheck was almost non-existent which allowed the Oil Capitals to dictate most of the play and take the game 4-3, climbing back into a tie with the Stampeders for third place in the West Division. Jackson Betcher, Noah Fladager and Carter Cockburn each picked up a goal in the loss. Jackson Betcher scored late in the middle frame to tie the game 1-1. Nov Fladager and Carter Cockburn would use the power play to score their goals in a losing cause Saturday night at the Centennial Arena.
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. 31 – Nov. 7)
3rd Star
Justin Keck takes over this week’s third star award. The 19-year-old had a wild 48 hours, being acquired Tuesday, Nov. 2 from the Humboldt Broncos and then dressed Thursday, Nov. 4 in Virden. The Morris product proved to be a great pickup for Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff, and the Stampeders as he collected two goals en-route to a 6-4 win over the Oil Capitals.
2nd Star
Carter Cockburn slides down a spot this week, collecting one goal and two assists during a split last week with the Oil Capitals. The 6’2” 194 lbs forward is now on a four-game point streak and sits second in team scoring with 15 points (4G, 11A).
1st Star
Quinn Mulder takes over as this week’s first star recipient. The Terrace, BC product had a big weekend for his team scoring two goals and adding two assists in a split with the Virden Oil Capitals. The 6’2” 200 lbs forward picked up an assist on the game’s first goal Thursday night then finished the night with the game-winning goal at 15:45, and the endurance marker at 19:58 of the third period in a 6-4 win. The 20-year-old followed that up with an assist in a 4-3 loss Saturday night in Swan. Mulder sits fifth in team scoring with five goals and nine assists.
Honourable mentions this week go to Jacob Paler-Chow, Jackson Betcher and Noah Fladager who collected a goal and an assist each.
The Stampeders will now shift their focus to the West Division leaders, the Dauphin Kings. Swan Valley will travel to Dauphin Friday, Nov. 12 to face the Kings at 7:30 pm. The Stamps’ will return to the Centennial Arena Saturday, Nov. 13 in a home-and-home weekend series. The game is a presentation of Tim Hortons.
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, Nov. 13. You can purchase your tickets early by clicking the icon below.
STANDINGS (Point Leaders)
8 – Jamie Valentino
8 – Cody Barnes
5 – Carter Cockburn
4 – Adam Rajsigl
3 – Noah Fladager
3 – Jackson Betcher
2 – Dylan Black
1 – Trey Sauder
1 – Quinn Mulder
1 – Myles Mason
1 – Darius Makse