The Swan Valley Stampeders dug deep Saturday night, defeating the Selkirk Steelers 6-5. The team has now won their last three straight games, and pushing their point streak to six games.
Luke Beerman and Jackson Betcher talked about a “better start,” and they most certainly did. A period that was dominated by the Stampeders, outshooting their opponent 13-4, and leading 2-0 after the first.
Trevor Schroder picked up a loose puck at the side of the net, walked out front and stuffed it through Austin Deboer at 5:56 of the opening frame. Luke Beerman would skate across the blue-line and find a wide open John Jebamani, who would squeak one through Deboer just over five and a half minutes later. Swan Valley would hold a 2-0 lead heading to the dressing room after twenty minutes of play.
A wild second period saw seven goals scored between the two teams. Sheldon Howard would pull Selkirk within one, hammering a shot past Mikael Foucher 1:34 into the second. Jackson Betcher would pick up the puck in his own zone and go end-to-end and score his third of the year 18 seconds later. Selkirk would score back-to-back goals (Carter Barley 7:00, Blake Burr 10:55) to tie the contest at three. Trevor Schroder would regain the Stampeders lead, scoring his second of the game three minutes later. Selkirk was awarded a 5-on-3 late in the middle frame, and just as the first penalty expired, Blake Burr tied the game at 18:48. Mattias Dal Monte and Leyson Coleman would find a wide open Callum Fortin who would score his seventh of the year with 22 seconds left in the period. Shots after 40 were 23-15 in favour of Swan.
Selkirk would pull their goalie late in the third period, and with extra attacker just joining the play, it was Blake Burr who tied the game at 18:56. Swan Valley regained the lead once again, as Nathan Carl would wore one past Austin Deboer with 53.7 seconds left, and the Stampeders hold on for a 6-5 win Saturday night.
Final shots
Swan Valley – 38
Selkirk – 26
The Stampeders 6-5 win Saturday night in Selkirk improves their record to 21-10-3, good for 3rd place overall with 45 points, 3 points back of 1st place overall.
The Stampeders will get some much needed rest, and return to action Sunday December 15 as they finish off a 3-in-3 road trip against Winnipeg. Puck drop is 5:30pm.