The Swan Valley Stampeders dropped their second straight home game Friday January 11th, falling 3-1 to the Winkler Flyers.
Special teams proved to be the downfall of Swan Valley tonight, as Winkler went 3/3 on the power play to defeat the second place Stampeders.
The Swan Valley Stampeders had several quality chances early on but Winklers goaltender Britt League stood tall in the Flyer net stopping everything sent his way in the opening frame. Jayden McCarthy opened the scoring, eleven seconds into the power play at 17:26. Drake Burgin added to the Flyers lead at 19:38, scoring fifteen seconds into a power play and Winkler led 2-0 after twenty minutes of play.
Campbell Balk cut into the Flyers lead 1:46 into the second period, beating Britt League short side over the glove off the rush. After forty minutes of play, Winkler held a 2-1 lead, and the shots were 28-24 in favour of the Flyers.
Marcel Berube regained the Flyers two goal lead when he beat Merek Pipes on the power play at 6:44 of the third period. The Stampeders pressed hard through out the remainder of the period but could not solve League. Winkler skated to a 3-1 win over the Stampeders. Final shots on goal 50-36 for Swan Valley.
With tonight’s loss in home ice, the Stampeders record now sits at 26-9-3-2, 9 points behind the Portage Terriers for first place overall in the MJHL. Swan Valley will be back in action tomorrow night as they host the same Winkler Flyers. Saturday nights game is a presentation of the Westwood Inn, who has guaranteed the 50/50 take home prize of $1250. Also the Holiday Cash Lotto draws will take place immediately following tomorrow nights game. Tickets are still available from any Stampeder board member. Puck drop is at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at Atkinson’s Sports Excellence or at the door.