The 10-11-3 Swan Valley Stampeders were back on home ice tonight looking to get to .500 on the season as they faced the 18-7-1-1 Portage Terriers.
Before the opening face off a presentation was made to the billet families, who were presented gifts from the players and the organization for their commitment to the team for the 2017/2018 season.
When the puck dropped the Stampeders were all over Portage in the opening frame as the Stamps jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Shane Roulettes 7th of the year at 12:55. The Stampeders continued to pressure the Terriers and Keaton Jameson added his 9th of the year at 18:05. Josh Tripp continued his point streak as he beat Lasse Peterson on the power play at 19:01 and the Stampeders took a 3-0 lead into the 1st intermission. Shots after 20 minutes 9-6 for Swan Valley.
The 2nd period was back and forth action between the two MJHL clubs. Josh Tripp scored again on the power play at 3:01 and ended Lasse Peterson’s night in net. Portage answered back when Ryan Sokoloski beat Evans at 14:32 of the middle frame. Trevar Mann scored his 8th on a perfectly placed shot that beat Brendan Benoit at 17:44. Portage answered back at 18:23 as Duncan Pierce picked up his 1st of the season. The 2nd period came to a close with the Stampeders leading 5-2. The shots were 23-18 favouring the Terriers.
The 3rd period turned out to be very interesting for the fans and the two clubs. Portage’s Scott Mickoski scored at 4:11 and Ty Barnstable added another at 12:50. The Stampeders answered back at 13:24 as Noah Basarab buried his 9th of the season. The Terriers James McIsaac scored his 16th of the year and moved Portage within 1 with under 5 minutes to play in the 3rd period. The stamps took a penalty and Portage pulled their goalie with 1:30 left in the period, as Josh Tripp scored a short handed empty net goal at 19:32 to seal a 7-5 win over Portage. Final shots on net were 36-22 for Portage. Terriers James McIsaac was tonight’s 3rd star, Swans Keaton Jameson’s 1 goal and 2 assists was selected as 2nd star, and Josh Tripp’s 3 goals and 1 assist was tonight’s 1st star of the game.
Next action for the Stampeders is Sunday December 3rd against the Steinbach Pistons. Puck drop is 7:30pm at the Centennial Arena.