The 9-11-3 Stampeders were looking to bounce back on home ice tonight after a loss to the Winkler Flyers Sunday night.
The Swan Valley Stampeders pushed the OCN Blizzard in the opening minutes of the 1st period which led them to a power play. The Stamps sent several shots on net but couldn’t solve Emilien Boily. OCN gained a 4-minute power play on a high sticking penalty to Noah Basarab at 3:39. The Blizzard scored just 11 seconds into the power play and Anthony Keeper beat Brett Evans to take a 2-0 lead. The Stampeders’ Tanner Garnham scored short handed on a great feed by Captain Keaton Jameson at 17:20 to bring the Stampeders within 1. The Opening frame came to a close with the Blizzard leading 2-1 and the shots were 16-11 in favour of Swan.
The middle frame saw both clubs continue to go back and forth, with both clubs getting into penalty trouble. OCN’s Tony Apetagon picked up his 9th of the season and moved the Blizzard ahead 3-1. The Stampeders continued to push and Matt Osadick finally solved Emilien Boily with just 18 seconds left in the 2nd period. The OCN Blizzard took a 3-2 lead into the intermission with the shots 30-21 in favour of Swan.
The 3rd period was all Stampeders as they took the play to the Blizzard. Matt Osadick scored his 2nd of the game at 3:55 on the power play, tying the game at 3. The Stampeders power play continued to click as Josh Tripp picked up his 2nd of the year at 4:54. The OCN Blizzard sent 8 shots on net with Brett Evans turning aside all 8. The Stampeders held on to win the game 4-3 and move them 4 points behind Winnipeg for 8th spot. Final shots on net were 39-29 for the Swan Valley Stampeders. Keaton Jameson’s 2 assists grabbed him 3rd star of the game, Daylin Smallchild’s 3 assists was named 2nd star and Matt Osadick 2 goal effort earned him tonight’s 1st star. The Stampeders’ next action will be this Friday, December 1st against the Portage Terriers. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm at the Centennial Arena.