The Swan Valley Stampeders rebounded Saturday January 26th, as they defeated Winkler and split a 2 game mini series against the Flyers.
Swan River, MB product Josh Tripp led the way with 1 goal and 2 assists, while Merek Pipes stopped 25/26 shots in a 4-1 win over the Winkler Flyers.
Merek Pipes was the story of the first period, stopping everything sent his way in the opening frame. Winkler found themselves on 3 power plays throughout the period but couldn’t solve the 20-year-old Victoria, BC goaltender. The game remained scoreless after 20 minutes of play and the shots were 14-9 for Winkler.
The games first goal came off the stick of Landon Johnson, as he let a shot go from the point on the power play that beat Riley Morgan at 5:11 of the 2nd. Swan Valley kept pressing and found the back of the net late in the period. Josh Tripp skated out of the corner and sent a shot on net that deflected off of Brian Harris and in at 19:24. After 40 minutes of play the Stamps led 2-0 and the shots were 22-20 for Swan Valley.
Josh Tripp added to the Stampeders lead, swatting in his 29th of the year at 9:15 of the 3rd. Gino Lucia finally solved Merek Pipes 30 seconds later on a controversial goal, but it wasn’t enough as the Stamps went on to defeat the Winkler Flyers 4-1 on a Campbell Balk empty netter at 18:44. Final shots on goal 35-26 for Swan Valley.
Winkler went 0/6 on the power play, while Swan Valley went 2/5.
The Stampeders record now sits at 30-10-3-2, 1 point ahead of the Steinbach Pistons and 9 points behind the Portage Terriers for 1st overall in the MJHL.
The next action for Swan Valley will be Tuesday January 29th when they host the OCN Blizzard. Tuesday game is a proud presentation of the RCMP. Puck drop goes at 7:30pm. Tickets available at Atkinson’s Sports Excellence or at the door.