The Swan Valley Stampeders were on home ice Saturday in what was a night of many firsts.
The Stampeders were looking to get back into the win column after a 4-2 loss to the Virden Oil Capitals Tuesday night. Making his coaching debut for the Stampeders Saturday evening was newly hired Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff.
Stampeders opened the scoring 8:24 into the opening frame as Dane Hirst let a point shot go that beat Kolby Thornton blocker side. Matt Osadick picked up his first of the year as he snapped home a beauty at 18:11 and Swan Valley lead 2-0 after twenty minutes of play.
The flood gates started to open in the second as Matt Osadick grabbed his second of the game on the power play at 10:56. Tanner McKechnie scored his first of the year at 12:21 with one second remaining on the power play. Roblin, Manitoba native Jaden Townsend scored his third of the year at 17:42 which ended the night for Neepawa’s goaltender Kolby Thornton. The middle frame closed out with the Stampeders leading 5-0. Shot count after forty minutes of play was 25-15 for Swan.
Stampeder Captain Jaden Townsend grabbed his second of the game on a beautiful cross ice pass from Matt Osadick at 5:35. The Stampeders kept coming in the third as Josh Tripp scored at 12:04 again on the power play. Swan River product Carter Cockburn scored his first of the year at 13:29 sliding one past Brendan Benoit. Kasyn Kruse scored late in the third period as the Stampeders went on to defeat the Neepawa Natives 9-0. Micheal Davis stopped all 20 shots he faced picking up his first shutout of the year. Tonight’s win was Barry Wolff’s first behind the bench as the Stampeders Head Coach and General Manager. Final shots on goal were 38-20 for the Swan Valley Stampeders.
Jaden Townsend was awarded third star scoring two goals. Josh Maucieri was given second star as he picked up four assists. And first star this evening was Mathew Osadick collecting two goals and two assists.
Next action for the Swan Valley Stampeders will be at home Tuesday October 2nd against the Virden Oil Capitals. Puck drop is set for 7:30pm at the Centennial Arena.