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 had a bit of a setback Thursday, Sept. 30 in Waywayseecappo suffering a 4-3 loss on the road and snapping their two-game win streak. They regained their confidence Saturday, Oct. 2 with a dominating 6-1 win on home ice over the Wolverines bringing their record back to .500 (3-3).
Thursday, Sept. 30 was National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Prior to puck drop, both teams took part in a ceremony that featured Blue Sky Drum Group along with a prayer from Jim Cote and a ceremonial puck drop.
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines proved to be a much better team than the Stampeders last Thursday, completely taking over the game in the first and the second periods. Swan Valley finally gained confidence in their building in the third period, scoring two goals and outshooting the wolverines 18-4. It certainly wasn’t enough to win the game but the team built off the third period and carried that over to Saturday’s game in Swan River.
Before the game Saturday night the Stampeder organization held a moment of silence after learning one of their own had passed. Arnold Betcher was a long-time Swan Valley Stampeder supporter and super fan of his grandson Jackson Betcher. We would like to take this opportunity to pass along our condolences to the entire family.
The Stampeders opened the scoring 2:43 into the game with a power-play marker and never looked back. Six different Stampeder players scored in front of their home crowd, en route to a 6-1 win Saturday night. It was also a game of many firsts. Let’s start with fresh faces in the lineup, Lare Pahtayken and Kobe Grant. Pahtayken was acquired from the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL last week. The 6’2” 209 lbs towering defenceman is a very smooth skater and fits right into the lineup. Kobe Grant dressed for the first time this season but didn’t see any action as he was required to fulfill backup duties Saturday night. Moving along to some other firsts, that being goals. Darius Makse, Trey Sauder, Jamie Valentino and Cody Barnes all tallied their first goal of the season in a 6-1 win Saturday night. Trey Sauder and Darius Makse’s goals were a little more special as both young men scored their first-ever goal in a Stampeder uniform.
Last week we quickly touched on the fact the Stampeders offence needs to come alive in order to win hockey games. Well, we certainly witnessed that firsthand over the last two games. Swans offence came from all over the lineup and that in itself is a great thing to see. Over the course of the last two games, the Stampeders scored nine goals from nine different players. Goaltender Dylan Black also had a busy week in the Stampeder net stopping a total of 72/77 shots sent his way. Black suffered the loss in Wayway but rebounded spectacularly Saturday back-stopping his team to a 6-1 win.
The Stampeders special teams are something we haven’t touched on yet this year but have been a huge part of the Stampeders’ success. In four games against the OCN Blizzard, the Stampeders never conceded a goal while on the penalty kill posting a record of 0/16 and a 1/17 power play. In two games against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, the Stampeders found the back of the net twice in eight tries on the power play while only giving up two goals on 11 shorthanded advantages. The power play is starting to click and is something the Stampeders will need to take advantage of on the road in Wayway Friday, Oct. 8
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 (Sept. 26 – Oct. 3)
3rd Star
Darius Makse continues to find his stride with the Swan Valley Stampeders. Since training camp, the 18-year-old from Armstrong, BC has continued to grow on both sides of the puck. His hard work in practice and during his five games so far in the MJHL is starting to pay off. The 6’2” 185lbs forward collected his first goal and added an assist in a 6-1 thumping of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. His first as a Stampeder held up to be the game-winner, making him the third star of the week.
2nd Star
Jamie Valentino stepped up this past week collecting three points in a split with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. The 6’2” 180lbs Thompson, MB native set up Jordan Gagnon’s third-period goal in a 4-3 to Wayway Thursday. He followed that up with a goal and an assist in the third period of their 6-1 win over the Wolverines Saturday on home ice.
1st Star
Jordan Gagnon takes over this week’s first star award with his extremely impressive play. The 6’0” 165 lbs shifty defenceman has found his grove in Stamps colours. His speed and defensive play have been on full display the past two weeks and now he is chipping in on the offensive side as well. The Leduc, AB product collected a goal and two assists in two games last week against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
Honourable mentions this week go to Brad Fortin (1G-1A), Trey Sauder (1G-1A), Noah Fladager (1G-1A) and Jackson Betcher (1G),
The Stampeders will have a four-day break in their schedule before travelling south to face the Waywayseeappo Wolverines again Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 pm. The two teams will finish off a four game mini-series Saturday, Oct. 9 in Swan River. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.
Online 50/50 tickets can be purchased anytime this week leading up to our game Saturday, Oct. 9. Also, don’t forget to buy your game day tickets at stampedershockey.com, Patty’s Sports Excellence or at the door.