The Swan Valley Stampeders and the Portage Terriers met for the first time since last years MJHL Final, Saturday November 2nd at Stride Place in Portage.
The Terriers jumped out to a very early lead scoring 44 seconds into the contest. Riley Bruce jumped on a loose puck out front of the net and buried his six of the year. The Stampeders pushed back and would find the equalizer just over eight minutes later. Carter Cockburn would make a one handed pass to Callum Fortin who went high glove over Nathan Moore for his third of the year. Mattias Dal Monte, who has been on fire as of late, let a bomb go from the point just over two minutes later collecting his seventh of the year on the power play. After 20 minutes of play the Stamps’ held a 2-1 lead, but trailed in the shot department 11-8.
The Stampeders had their feet moving in the second period, pushing the play for the majority of the period. Callum Fortin would deposit his second of the night after Trevor Schroder’s shot squeaked past Nathan Moore at 7:37 of the middle frame. Luke Beerman scored his eighth goal of the year, poking a loose puck past a sprawled out Moore just over six minutes later. Caelan McPhee would pull Portage within two late in the period, sending a shot past Michael Davis at 18:13. After 40 minutes of play the Stampeders held a 4-2 lead, but once again trailed in the shot count 22-18.
The Stampeders would jump out to a 5-2 lead, as Carter Cockburn was sent in all alone, snapping home his fourth of the year 6:02 into the third. Portage would score three straight goals (Tyler VanDeynze 7:55, Riley Bruce 13:10 & 19:06 with the net empty) to tie the game at 5 and force overtime.
Swan would be given a power play early on in the overtime period but couldn’t solve Nathan Moore. With just under two minutes left in the extra frame Portage would gain a power play of their own, and would capitalize as Mack Belinski grabbed his six of the year.
Final Shots on Goal
Swan Valley – 26
Portage – 35
The Stampeders win streak was snapped at two games, but the teams point streak remains intact, picking up five points in their last three games.
Swan Valley’s record now sits at 10-4-2, who remain in fourth place.
The club will have a quick turnaround, as they will travel to Selkirk Sunday November 3rd for a make-up game against the Steelers. Puck drop is 7:30pm.