The Swan Valley Stampeders are enjoying one of their best seasons in franchise history and the success has continued into March.
After sweeping the Dauphin Kings in the quarter finals, the Stamps’ will now play the Steinbach Pistons who edged the Winnipeg Blues in six games.
On paper, just like they were in the first round, the Stampeders will once again be the series favourites as they enter as the second seed while Steinbach is third.
Steinbach has been in this position before. Most notably last year when they advanced to the Royal Bank Cup. Being in the league semi-finals is a relatively new feeling for the Stampeders organization. This marks the team’s third appearance in the MJHL semi-final in 20 years.
Swan Valley will also be looking to avenge what happened last season. The Pistons’ swept the Stamps’ in the first round of the playoffs.
In the regular season, the Stamps’ went 3-2-0-1 against Steinbach. This Friday’s game one will mark the first meeting between the two teams since December 16 when Steinbach won, 4-3.
Let’s take a closer look at the season series between Steinbach and Swan Valley.
Swan Valley Stampeders:
PP – 7/28 = 25% PK – 23/28 = 82.1%
Leading Scorers:
Dane Hirst – 5A
Josh Tripp – 3G, 1A
Josh Maucieri – 2G, 2A
Bradly Goethals – 2G, 2A
Home Record:
2-1
Road Record:
1-1-0-1
Facts:
Swan Valley went 3-1 against Steinbach when they scored the game’s first goal.
Goaltending:
Merek Pipes recorded one shutout and had a .934 save percentage in four games against Steinbach.
Leading Scorers vs Dauphin:
Quintin Sudom – 7A
Kasyn Kruse – 5G, 1A
Brad Goethals – 3G, 3A
Alex Uryga – 2G, 4A
Brian Harris – 1G, 5A
Steinbach Pistons:
PP – 5/28 = 17.8% PK – 21/28 = 75%
Leading Scorers:
Brendan Martin – 2G, 5A
Tyson McConnell – 4A
Troy Williams – 1G, 2A
Boedey Vaeth – 1G, 2A
Home Record:
2-1
Away Record:
1-2
Goaltending:
Matthew Radomsky has made at least 30 saves in three of his four starts against Swan Valley. His save percentage during those games is .922. He did struggle at times in their first round series against Winnipeg where his save percentage was .908 and his goal against average was 3.40.
Leading Scorers vs Winnipeg:
Kyle Bettens – 2G, 6A
Tanner Mole – 3G, 2A
Easton Bennett – 1G, 4A
Wrap up:
It was a fantastic season series between Steinbach and the Stamps’ and this series has everything needed to be a classic.
Game one between Steinbach and Swan Valley is this Friday at 7:30 at the Centennial Arena.
Here’s a full list of the Semi-Final Series.
Game 1 March 22 @ Swan 7:30pm
Game 2 March 23 @ Swan 7:30pm
Game 3 March 27 @ Stein 7:30pm
Game 4 March 28 @ Stein 7:30pm
Game 5 March 30 @ Swan 7:30pm
Game 6 April 1 @ Stein 7:30pm
Game 7 April 3 @ Swan 7:30pm
Tickets will be available at the Centennial Arena Thursday March 21st from 7pm-9pm. You can also pick yours up at Atkinson’s Sports Excellence or at the door.
Advance
$13 adult (18 & over)
$8 student (13-17)
$5 child (12 & under)
At the door
$15 adult ( 18 & over)
$10 student (13-17)
$6 child (12 & under)
We ask that you wear white and bring the noise Swan River!!!
#Believe