On Sunday, the Stampeders made their way to Waywayseecappo for an afternoon match against the Wolverines. With both teams still looking for their 1st win of the season, it was sure to be a competitive game. It proved to be exactly that.
The Stamps came out of the gate strong, controlling the play and peppering Wolverines goalie Ethan Peterson with several quality chances early. However a missed assignment in the neutral zone, allowed a Wayway 2 on 1, that newly acquired Riley Vautour was able to capitalize on for his 1st goal of the season.
In spite of trailing early, the Stamps kept the pressure on Petersen, and were able to knot the game at 1-1 when Captain Keaton Jameson was able to make a nice move in tight on Peterson and slide home a Connor Navrot pass.
Starting the 2nd period shorthanded, the Stamps again found themselves trailing, when Macklin Mcphee was able to find the back of the net 39 seconds in. James Maxwell was able to extend the Wolverines lead to 2 with 3:08 remaining in the 2nd frame. In spite of carrying the majority of the possession and winning the shot count, the Stampeders found themselves needing a lift. After a scrum in front of the net, with 1:13 remaining in the period, 1st year Stampeder Tanner Garnham and Wolverines veteran D-man Wade Johannesson squared off for a spirited fight.
Heading into the intermission this looked like it could be just the spark the boys needed. Swan River’s own, Lane Kirk was able to find the back of the net, for his 1st ever MJHL goal just under 4 minutes into the final frame. Braden Groot continued a strong night, with his second assist of the night, on the goal.
With the deficit cut down to 1, the Stampeders continued to pressure Petersen and the Wolverines, with countless quality chances. Each and every time Petersen was there to make the save including several highlight reel saves.
At 17:56 of the 3rd, on the Power Play, with goalie Brett Evans on the bench for an extra attacker, Conor Navrot was able to tie the game up at 3-3 with the Stampeders 1st power play goal of the year.
In spite of a penalty to each side, overtime would solve nothing, and the game headed to a shootout.
With Brett Evans standing tall as usual between the pipes for the Stamps and Petersen matching him save for save at the other end, the shootout went to the 13th shooter before Noah Basarab was able to snap one high over Petersen’s blocker to put the Stamps ahead. This left Wayway with 1 last chance to beat Evans. But this was to be the Stampeders night, as Evans was able to hold off the final attempt by the Wolverines Jake Bestul, and secure the 1st win of the season for the Stampeders.
The back half of the home and home series gets underway at 7:30 on Wednesday night, with pregame ceremonies before the game. Tickets are available at Atkinson Sports Excellence or at the door on game day.