The Stampeders two game win streak was snapped by the Winkler Flyers Saturday night, losing a tight game 5-4.
Swan Valley would bring the physical play tonight but couldn’t match the offensive output by the Flyers.
On three separate occasions the Stampeders cut two goal deficits, but couldn’t find an equalizer to force overtime in Winkler.
Tommy Cardinal would walk off the wall and let a wrist shot go that beat Dylan Meilun over his glove for a 1-0 lead 7:35 into the opening frame. Winkler would respond just over a minute later as Griffin Leonard scored his 10th of the year. Winkler would gain their first lead of the night as Jayden McCarthy would tuck home his 12th of the year on the power play, less than two minutes later. A rough first period came to an end with the Flyers up by one goal, and a commanding 14-6 lead in the shot count.
The seesaw affair continued in the middle frame as both teams would score twice. Griffin Leonard added to the Flyers lead 1:42 into the 2nd period, chasing Micheal Davis. Mikael Foucher took over the reigns in net. Swan Valley responded less than a minute later as Parker Johnson scored his 2nd of the year. Winkler would regain their 2 goal lead just over 11 minutes later as Sulivan Shortreed scored his 14th of the year on the power play. Parker Johnson would score his 3rd of the year, and 2nd of the game on a beautiful solo effort at 16:42 pulling the Stamps’ within 1. After 40 minutes of play the Flyers lead 4-3, and the shots were 28-16 in favour of Winkler.
Scoring resumed in the third as both teams would trade goals. Sulivan Shortreed scored his 2nd of the game, and 15th of the year just over 2 minutes into the final frame. Tanner Mortenson would gather a loose puck and snap home his 1st as a Stampeder at 5:45, cutting the lead once again. With the goalie out, Swan couldn’t find the game tying goal to force overtime and drop a 5-4 decision to the Flyers.
Final shots
Swan – 31
Winkler – 37
The Stampeders record now sits at 13-7-2 and now sit in 6th place, two points behind Winkler and Selkirk for 4th overall, and just 4 points back of 1st place.
Swan will regroup and turn their attention on the Portage Terriers tomorrow evening, and finish their 3 game road trip. The last time the two teams met, Swan lost 6-5 in overtime. It’s sure to be another great game. Puck drop is at 6:30pm.