The Swan Valley Stampeders dropped their third game in a row Friday night, losing to the Virden Oil Capitals by a score of 5-4.
The Stampeders offence was led by Swan River, MB product Carter Cockburn who scored a pair, Callum Fortin picked up three assist, while Alex Danis and Jackson Zloty scored a goal and added an assist each in the loss.
The opening 20 minutes was wide open as both teams seemed to find a lot of open ice. The Oil Capitals showed why they sit with a 8-0-1 record, good for first overall in the MJHL. The Oil Caps are led by a star studded lineup of WHL players who have been loaned to the team while their league is still on hold. Speaking of WHL stars, Daemon Hunt (Moose Jaw Warriors) turned the jets on and blew past everyone on the ice sending a cross-crease pass to Jack Einarson who tapped home his third of the year at 4:27 on the power play. The young Stampeder squad put on the work boots and started to chip away and finally started to gain entry into the offensive zone. Cockburn responded for the Stamps, scoring his third of the season five minutes later. Brett Paddock picked up his third of the campaign just over three minutes later, sending the Oil Capitals to the locker room up a 2-1.
Hunter Cloutier increased Virden’s lead early in the middle frame, walking in all alone on a short-handed break, snapping home his fifth of the season and putting the home team up 3-1. With their lunch pails in hand, the Stampeders went to work. The quick strike offence finally came alive as Alex Danis pulled the Stampeders to within one, finishing off a beautiful give-and-go for his seventh of the year at the 10:14 mark. Cockburn scored his second of the game just over two minutes later on a beauty solo effort, putting in his own rebound for his fourth.
Jackson Zloty gave Swan Valley their first lead almost four minutes later as Fortin swing a loose puck back to newcomer Jerome Lafond, who found Zloty on the far side and he made no mistake, snapping home his sixth of the year. Swan Valley would head to the dressing room up 4-3 but trailing 27-26 in the shot department.
The combination of Einarson and Cloutier took over in the third period scoring a goal and adding an assist each, seven minutes apart, as the Oil Capitals grabbed their eighth win of the year.
The Stampeders have now dropped their last three games and four of their pastf five. Tonight’s loss drops the Stampeders record to 5-4.
Final shots on goal
Swan Valley – 40
Virden – 42
The Stampeders, along with the rest of the MJHL, will now enter their first scheduled break of the 2020-21 season. The breaks were implemented to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. That being said, the Stampeders will use the break to regroup, heal, and stay COVID safe.
The next action for the Stampeders, barring any postponements, will be Friday, Nov. 20, at home, against their Highway 10 rival Dauphin Kings. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m..
We would like to remind our amazing fans that we a have clothing pre-sale on now. Be sure to support your favorite team by purchasing some amazing gear. Pre-ordering ends November 15. Get yours here https://stampedershockey.square.site/shop/pre-order-exclusive/23
You can also purchase 50/50 tickets online for the Nov. 20 contest as well.