The Swan Valley Stampeders dropped their second straight contest to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines Saturday night, losing 8-6 in a goal, and penalty filled game at the Centennial Arena.
The Stampeders offence was led by Cody Barnes (3G), Jamie Valentino (2G, 2A), and Jordan Gagnon (4A) while Kobe Grant took the loss in net.
Goals, penalties, goals, more penalties and more goals is basically how to sum up tonight’s game at the Centennial Arena. Two things that both teams were guilty of throughout Saturday night’s game. The only difference was the offence of the Wolverines out dueled the Stampeders once again.
Now backing up just a little bit, we spoke the last two days about not letting the Wolverines quick strike offence loose and for 40 minutes the Stampeders did a great job keeping that mostly contained. But the penalties and the undisciplined play of the Stampeders allowed the potent Wolverine offence to, for a lack of a better term, run wild on Swan Valley.
So, instead of jumping ahead to the wildest third period I have ever witnessed, let’s start from the beginning. Troy Hamilton has destroyed several goal lamps over the course of the last four games including the one in Swan River. The 19-year-old from Brandon, MB opened the scoring, collecting his 7th of the year on the power play, 8:39 into the opening frame. Cody Barnes tied the game five minutes later, scoring his second of the year and first of the game on the Stampeders power play. Jamie Valentino gave the Stampeders their first lead of the night scoring his third of the year at 16:04 of the first period. Boston Bird tied the game late in the period sending both teams to the dressing room deadlocked at 2.
Luke Robson gave the Wolverines the lead back just under four minutes into the middle frame, beating Kobe Grant for his second of the year. 20-year-old Cody Barnes pulled the Stampeders even at 4 with his second of the night and third of the year just over five minutes later.
That brings us to the Third period and this is where things just got weird, hopefully you have some snacks to help you read through this next part. In the words of the Joker – “And here we go.” Jamie Valentino gave the Stampeders the lead back, collecting a cross-ice pass beating Liam Tereposky 4:33 into the final frame. Myles Mason would find his way onto the score sheet, picking up his second of the season at 7:19. Luke Robson pulled the Wolverines to within one, scoring his second of the night and third of the year a minute later. Cody Barnes threw on his superman cap and swatted home his third of the contest 30 seconds later, giving the Stampeders a 6-4 lead. When they say no lead in sports is safe, well they mean it. The Stampeders found themselves in penalty trouble again, allowing that sleeping offence to be awoken. The Wolverines smelled blood and attacked, Troy Hamilton collected his second of the game, scoring on a seven minute power play at 11:47. Lonan Bulger scored at 13:39, Kobe Campbell added a marker of his own at 14:51 and Mi-Kwan Tallman added the insurance marker at 16:06 and the Wolverines skated to an 8-6 win on the road Saturday night.
Final shots on goal
Wayway – 57
Swan – 34
The loss drops the Stampeders record to 3-5.
Next action for the Stampeders will be on home ice Friday October 15 at 7pm when they welcome the Neepawa Titans to town. Tickets are available at stampedershockey.com, patty’s sports excellence or at the door.