The Swan Valley Stampeders showed, once again, they can hang with the top clubs in the MJHL, defeating the top team in the East Division 5-4 in a shootout Friday night at T.G. Smith Centre in Steinbach.
Swan Valley’s offence was led by Cody Barnes (2 goals, 1 assist), Deepkaran Hans (1G, 1A) and Trey Sauder (1G) while Kobe Grant stopped 31/35 shots he faced (including two more in the shootout) for the win.
Despite a solid opening seven minutes of play, the Stampeders found themselves trailing 3-0 after the first period. Langley Kruggel, Dawson Milliken and Cooper Rice all scored within three minutes of one another giving the home team a commanding lead heading into the second period.
Quinton Pepper continued the scoring for the Pistons, collecting his 16th of the year 46 seconds into the second period. Swan Valley came alive and found a way back into the hockey game. It took a power play to get the offence rolling. Barnes was left all alone off to the side of the net and he deposited his 13th of the year at 7:12. Hans collected his first ever MJHL goal, off the rush, just over ten minutes later pulling the stampeders to within two. Grant came to play in the second period, making several you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it saves which lead to the Stampeders third goal by Trey Sauder, who scored with under a minute left in the second period.
Barnes let a quick wrist shot go, beating Hambley for his second of the game 3:35 into the third period to tie the game 4-4. The rest of the third period was a goaltending duo and no one blinked sending this game to overtime. A gutsy performance by the Swan Valley Stampeders to turn what looked like no points into at least one.
The overtime period was on the edge of your seat back-and-forth action but neither team could solve the goaltenders that shut the door. So, off to the shootout they went.
Shootout results
Brad Fortin – Scores
Jack Rogers – Scores
Adam Rajsigl – Stopped
Zach Power – Stopped
Deepkaran Hans – Scores
Travis Hensrud – Stopped
Final shots
Swan Valley – 39
Steinbach – 35
The Swan Valley Stampeders have now collected five points in their last three games, winning back-to-back games against the top two teams in the East Division.
These two teams will go at it once again Saturday, Jan. 15 at T.G. Smith Centre for their second, and final, meeting of the regular season. Puck drop goes at 7:30p.m..
Follow along on all social media platforms for updates or catch all the action live on hockeytv.com.
Don’t forget, the Stamps Cash Lotto is well underway. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased from any Stampeder board member, from Patty’s Sports Excellence, Cook & Cooke or the Swan Valley Star and times. You can also purchase by calling 204.281.4255 or visit our site directly at – stampedershockey.square.site/cash-lotto – please use the promo code LOTTO for free mail delivery. You MUST purchase a Stamps Cash Lotto ticket in order to purchase the added on 50/50 ticket. The draw will take place Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 after our home game against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.