A tough way to start any season, but it’s the hand that has been dealt Swan Valley’s way. The Stampeders drop to 0-2, losing 5-3 to the OCN Blizzard in The Pas Saturday Sept. 18.
The Stampeders offence came from Jackson Betcher, Carter Cockburn and newcomer Dayvan Bull. Dylan Black stopped 32/37 and took the loss in net for the second consecutive night.
For the second straight night the Stampeders found themselves trailing in the first period. Ashton Paul was allowed to walk in uncontested and wired one low glove side past Dylan Black, giving the Blizzard a 1-0 lead at 7:15. Penalty trouble would creep in for both teams, but it was the Stampeders who found a boost from the man advantage. Local product Jackson Betcher would find twine, scoring his second of the year at 18:17 to even the score heading into the dressing room.
The Stampeders fell completely flat in the second period as they chased the play for the majority of the middle frame. OCN scored twice in the second period getting goals by Riley Zimmerman (4:36) and former Stampeder Parker Johnson (10:31) giving OCN a comfortable 3-1 lead heading into the third and final frame.
The third period was full of goals from both sides. Carter Cockburn pulled the Stampeders to within one, scoring his second of the year beating Nick Pineo at 13:14. Despite their best effort to tie the game it all fell apart late in the period. OCN scored two back-to-back empty net goals from Aaron Lorenz and Breyden Sinclair, just over 30 seconds apart to seal the deal. Dayvan Bull floated one in from the point with 21 seconds left on the clock but it wasn’t enough as the Stampeders fell for the second consecutive night, losing 5-3.
Final shots on goal
Swan – 24
OCN – 37
The Stampeders will head home and regroup as the two teams are set to do battle Tuesday Sept. 21 in The Pas at 7pm.