The Swan Valley Stampeders came up short in their final regular season game, losing 6-5 in a shootout to the Virden Oil Capitals.
Tonight’s game in Virden had a playoff hockey feel to it as the Stampeders would force overtime, and eventually a shootout, with a late goal in the third period to tie it at five.
Virden would get on the board early as Jack Einarson scored his first of the night 3:55 into the opening frame. Callum Fortin responded for the Stampeders, snapping one off the post and in 24 seconds later. Tommy Cardinal gave the Stamps’ their first lead of the game 40 seconds after that, beating Ethan Peterson low blocker for his 22nd of the year. Hunter Andrew tied the game at 12:24 of the first period, sending the teams to the locker room tied 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 17-8 in favour of Virden.
A wild second period saw five goals scored within a six and a half minute span. Darren Gisti would be Parker Rey at 11:54 to regain the Oil Capials lead. Ryley Lanthier, playing in his first game in over a month due to injury, tied the game just under a minute and a half later. For Lanthier, that was his sixth of the year on the power play. Tyler Teasdale scored his first of the year 1:09 later and the back-and-forth goal scoring continued. Frazer Dodd would tuck home his 19th of the year at 17:40 tying the game at 4-4. Einarson would score his second of the game, 18th of the year, with 1:33 left in the middle frame, sending the Oil Caps to the dressing room up 5-4, and leading 37-15 in the shot department.
The Stampeders would find a way to tie the game late in the third period as Luke Beerman would re-direct home his 18th of the year with just over four minutes to play, forcing overtime.
The two clubs battled hard throughout the extra period, but neither team could solve Rey or Peterson as they shut the door. The Stampeders squandered a two minute power play in overtime.
Frazer Dodd would be the only Stampeder to score in the shootout while Cloutier, Kanaski, and Einarson all scored for Virden, stealing a 6-5 win on home ice over Swan Valley.
Final shots
Swan Valley – 31
Virden – 53
With that, the Stampeders close out the 2019-20 regular season with an impressive record to say the least, playing to a 35-19-5-1 record, holding down fourth place heading into the playoffs.
With MJHL games going through until Sunday night, dates and times have not yet been set. Please follow all social media and the Star and Times for all playoff information.
Playoff sponsorship is also on the go, if you wish to sponsor, or simply donate, please contact Cody Manchester at 1-204-734-7825 (cell) or email marketing@stampedershockey.com
Every year our Director of Marketing releases a playoff video. This year has an extra flavour to it.
“I wanted to create a buzz, but continue on from where we left off last year,” said Manchester. “Last years playoff run was something everyone in the valley, Manitoba, and parts of the world will never forget. It was unreal to be a part of, and I wanted to build off of that devastating game seven overtime loss to Portage.” Manchester went on to say that he hopes to release this years video on Monday.
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