In the words of a long-time Swan Valley Stampeders supporter Jeremy Stephen… Woohoo. The Swan Valley Stampeders ended a two-game losing streak, defeating the OCN Blizzard 3-2 Tuesday night in OCN.
The Stampeder offence was led by Adam Rajsigl who collected a pair of goals, Myles Mason added the insurance goal of the game in the third period and Dylan Black picked up his first win of the year in net, stopping 22/24 shots he faced.
The Swan Valley Stampeders finally came to life in the opening frame, pushing the play and taking the game to their opponents. They had the spark Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff was looking for when he changed up his lines. Both Stampeder goals came off the stick of defenceman Adam Rajsigl, who scored 50 seconds apart to give the Stampeders their first lead of the game and the year. Also to note, those goals were his first and second as a Stampeder.
Swan Valley would take their foot off the gas in the second period and let the OCN Blizzard dictate the play once again. Defence was the name of the game in the middle frame for the Stampeders as they found themselves on their heels for a big chunk of the period. The pressure by the Blizzard allowed them to cut into the Stampeders’ lead midway through the second period. Max Mazur picked up a loose puck and sent it on net where it took an unpredictable bounce and found its way past goaltender Dylan Black.
Swan Valley found their grove again in the third period, using their speed and pushing the play, forcing numerous turnovers. One of which led to the first goal of the season for Myles Mason who collected a pass, walked in and ripped one over the shoulder of Evan Van Laken to make it a 3-1 game. Mazur seems to be a thorn in the Stampeders side so far this season, snapping home his second of the game at 18:23. The aggressive play of the Stampeders, and the goaltending effort by Dylan Black, allowed the Stampeders to pick up their first win of the season, beating the OCN Blizzard 3-1.
Final shots on goal
Swan Valley – 46
OCN – 24
The Stampeders now sit with a record of 1-2 record and will return home to face the same OCN Blizzard this Friday, Sept. 24. The puck drops at 7 pm.
Tickets are available online at stampedershockey.com, at the door or Patty’s Sports Excellence. Youth 12 and under are free courtesy of the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre.
Proof of vaccination is required and your mask MUST be worn at all times.