Swan River, MB. – The Swan Valley Stampeders ended the regular season with a come-from-behind, 6-4 win against the Virden Oil Capitals Friday night at the Centennial Arena. To top it all off, the Stampeders pushed their win streak to nine straight games heading into the MJHL Playoffs next weekend.
The Stampeders offence was led by Alex Walicki (2G, 1A), Adam Rajsigl and Jakob Jones each collected a goal and an assist while Loic Mainguy-Crepault stopped 22/26 shots he faced in his 10th win of the season.
The Story
The Virden Oil Capitals looked to be the better team to start tonight’s contest. Nolan Wallace opened the scoring, collecting his fourth of the season at 6:48 of the first period.
Roux Bazin silenced the enormous crowd at the Centennial Arena, scoring his 17th of the season, 2:31 into the second period. Alex Walicki gave the Stampeders life just before the midway point of the second period, collecting his first of the game at 8:10. Davis Chorney gave the Oil Capitals their two goal lead back, beating Mainguy-Crepault at 12:03 of the second period.
They don’t call it the Wild West for nothing as the third period was b.a.n.a.n.a.s.. Dean Gorchynski scored a power play marker, 26 seconds into the third period, giving the Oil Capitals a 4-1 lead and the game should have been all but wrapped up, right? WRONG. Swan Valley added some peanut butter to the banana sandwich, put their work boots on and went to work. Jakob Jones scored 21 seconds later making it a 4-2 game. Darius Makse sniped his seventh of the season five minutes later, pulling the Stampeders to within one. Adam Rajsigl added his 13th of the season, scoring on a wicked wrist shot from the point at 7:34. Walicki added his second of the night, snapping one over the pad of Owen LaRocque at 9:22 and Myles Mason added an empty net goal at 18:12, giving the Stampeders a 6-4 win on home ice Friday night at the Centennial Arena.
Final Shots on Goal
Virden – 26
Swan Valley – 33
Bonus Notes
- Stampeders push win streak to nine straight games.
What’s Next? the road to the 2023 Turnbull Cup.
Please stay tuned for playoff dates, times and ticket purchasing locations.