The Swan Valley Stampeders kicked off their preseason schedule against the Dauphin Kings in an all-rookie game Monday Sept. 21.
The Stampeders dropped a lopsided 6-1 game to the Kings in their preseason opener on the road Monday night. Some familiar faces were in the lineup as the Stamps would dress Swan River locals Will Munro, Steven Arp, Zach Boychuk, Bo Eisner, and Matthew Munro.
Both Matthew Munro and Will Munro would pick up an assist on the Stampeders only goal of the game that came off the stick of Ekam Dhaliwal.
The Stampeders found themselves trailing early on as Ben Hackl would beat Darby Tipton 59 seconds into the opening frame. Garrett Hrechka would find the back of the net 5:01 later and the Kings held a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Shots on goal following the first period were 16-5 in favor of Dauphin.
The Kings would jump out to a 4-0 lead with a pair of goals in the middle frame. Matthew Ramsey would score at 12:31 and Ben Hackl picked up his second of the game a minute and a half later. Swan Valley responded on the power play as Ekam Dhaliwal beat Ian Lee at 18:07 with assists to Matthew Munro and Will Munro. After 40 minutes of play the Stampeders trailed 4-1 and the shots were 31-15 in favor of Dauphin.
Dauphin would add a pair in the third period Zach Turner (1:51), and Slade Stanick (16:25) as the Kings skated to a lopsided 6-1 win on home ice Monday night.
Final shots on goal 57-20 for the Kings.
A bit of a lopsided loss to the Kings tonight on the road, what stood out to you with a full group of prospects?
“We are proud of the effort the guys put out tonight,” said Assistant Coach Darren Webster. “We had a very young team and they adjusted to the speed and the physicality of the game quickly.”
The annual all rookie game between the Kings and the Stampeders brings many young faces to this level of hockey. Why are these games so important?
“It’s important for the players to see the culture of our organization and the chance for the staff to teach,” added Webster. “We get an opportunity to make our guys better every time.”
Next action for the Stamps will be Friday Sept. 25 when they travel to OCN to face the Blizzard. Puck drop goes at 7pm.