The Swan Valley Stampeders picked up their first win of the 2022/23 MJHL Regular season, defeating the Neepawa Titans 6-3 Tuesday night.
Swan Valley’s offence was led by Jakob Jones (1G, 1A), Myles Mason (1G, 1A) and Collin Jennings (2A) while Kobe Grant stopped 24/27 shots he faced.
Scoring by committee is something every team hopes for and the Stampeders finally found their scoring touch Tuesday night in Neepawa, getting goals from six different players throughout.
It only took 6:48 of the opening frame in tonight’s contest to find the opening goal, and for the first time this season, it wasn’t against the Stampeders. Callum Halls collected his first MJHL goal, scoring on a gutsy solo effort that started in his own zone and ended up between the pads of Mason Lobreau.
Cooper Kasprick tied the game 4:15 into the second period, collecting his first of the season on the power play. Swan Valley’s offence would come alive in a big way as Jones shot the puck off the goalie, off the glass, then a Neepawa defender played it off his own teammate and into the back of the net for his second of the season three minutes later. Mason added to the Stampeders’ lead ten seconds later driving wide and back-handing home his first of the year. Parker Korman was left all alone in front of the net and he found twine less than four minutes later to pull the Titans to within two goals. Amar Powar drove the net, sent a shot on goal that was stopped where he then swatted home a juicy rebound at 16:15. Justin Keck gave the Stampeders a three-goal lead, scoring at the 17:55 mark of a wild middle frame.
Adam Rajsigl deposited his first of the year, scoring just 35 seconds into the third period giving the Stampeders a commanding lead. Dillon Birch added one for the Titans with 35 seconds left in the game as the Stampeders skated to a 6-3 win on the road Tuesday night.
Final shots
Swan Valley – 24
Neepawa – 27
Swan Valley will head home and regroup for a home-and-home series against the defending champions, the Dauphin Kings, which starts Friday night in Swan River. Friday night’s game is a proud presentation of the Empty Bobbin. Please watch social media for further game details.