The Swan Valley Stampeders will finish off a season series against the Neepawa Titans tonight at the Yellowhead Rec. Centre. These two teams know each other very well and have seen way too many goals enter their own nets over the course of the last seven games against one another. It’s been fun to watch but, at some point, the goalies need to step up and make some key saves if Stampeders look to close the gap on second place in the West Division.
Dylan Black didn’t have the game he had hoped for, stopping 24/31 and taking the loss in net. The Stampeders have had a tough time starting games against the Titans this season. If memory serves me correctly, it has been Neepawa who has dominated the first periods in the season series scoring the opening goal in five of the last seven games and went on to win three of those games. The Titans have used the first ten minutes of each game against the Stampeders scoring a goal in the first seven minutes of every game, meaning the Stamps need to start on time and fend off the offensive push Neepawa has coming tonight on home ice.
Special teams seemed to be another backbreaker for Swan Valley last night giving up three goals against while Swan deposited two of their own power play markers. The Stampeders enter tonight’s contest with a power play of 21.8% and a penalty kill that sits at 76.0% while Neepawa counters with a power play of 23.4% and a penalty kill of 67.1%.
Expect to see more fireworks tonight at the Madhouse on Mountain as both teams battle it out for a better stance in the West Division playoff race.
Players to watch
SVS – Carter Cockburn (16G, 23A), Quinn Mulder (11G, 22A), Brad Fortin (11G, 16A) and Adam Rajsigl (6G, 22A).
NEE – Dallon Wilton (11G, 27A), Jaeger Lapointe (20G, 12A), Rylan Gudnason (15G, 15A), and Mitch Thiessen (10G, 16A).
The Stamps Cash Lotto is well underway. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased from any Stampeder board member, from Patty’s Sports Excellence, Cook & Cooke or the Swan Valley Star and times. You can also purchase by calling 204.281.4255 or visit our site directly at – stampedershockey.square.site/cash-lotto – please use the promo code LOTTO for free mail delivery. You MUST purchase a Stamps Cash Lotto ticket in order to purchase the add-on 50/50 ticket. The draw will take place Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, after our home game against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.