The Swan Valley Stampeders resumed their road trip Sunday November 18th as they finished off two games in two nights in Steinbach.
The Stampeders had some jump in their game to open up tonight’s contest which drew a couple early power plays against the Pistons. A hiccup at the blue line caused a turnover that sent the Pistons in on a breakaway but Merek Pipes stood tall in the Stampeder net. Troy Quinn opened the scoring at 5:18 on the power play picking up his first as a Stampeder sending a wrist shot on net from the point that beat Matt Radomsky. The Pistons tied the game late in the period as Kyle Bettens tucked one by Merek Pipes at 19:14. For the second straight night both teams found themselves tied at one after twenty minutes of play.
Unlike last nights game the second period was full of action and proved to be a huge turning point for the Stampeders. Former Stampeder Boedey Vaeth scored early on burying his eleventh of the year on the power play just twenty one seconds into the middle frame. Regina, SK native Tanner McKechnie found the back of the net at 17:19 knocking in his sixth of the year on the power play tying the game at two. Merek Pipes absolutely robbed the Pistons late in the period which turned into a Stampeder rush up ice and Matt Osadick beat Matt Radomsky glove side ripping home his thirteenth of the year. The middle frame closed out with the Stamps leading 3-2 and the shots 23-19 in favour of Steinbach.
Roblin, MB product and Captain Jaden Townsend added to the Stamps lead 1:09 into the third banging in a rebound and picking up his ninth of the year. Tanner McKechnie and Easton Bennet had a dust up at 7:43 sending both willing combatants to the locker room for the night. The Stampeders went into complete shutdown mode to finish off the rest of the game and skated to a 4-2 win, taking three of four points from the defending champions this weekend. Merek Pipes with another unbelievable night in goal stopped 26/28 shots on goal for the victory.
“Getting 3 out of 4 points on the road in a tough building like steinbach was extremely difficult and shows how hard work and commitment can be rewarded,” said Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff. “Our entire coaching staff is extremely proud of our players for achieving everything they earned this weekend.”
Tonight’s three stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Matt Osadick 1G
⭐️⭐️ Tyson McConnell 1A
⭐️ Dane Hirst 2A
The Stampeders record improves to 16-3-1-2 and pulls the team even with Portage in the MJHL standings. The Stampeders will return home tonight and get ready for the Wolverines Tuesday night in Waywayseecappo. Puck drop is set for 7:30pm. Catch all the action live on HockeyTV.com.