The Swan Valley Stampeders will head down Highway 83 for a rematch against the Virden Oil Capitals tonight at Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
The Stampeders didn’t get the result they had hoped for on home ice last night, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Oil Capitals to kick off a four-game mini-series against one another. Swan Valley is among three teams jockeying for a playoff spot along with the Oil Capitals and the Neepawa Titans who won last night, pulling to within three points of the Stampeders with three games in hand.
With the loss last night the Stampeders find themselves three points behind the Oil Capitals for third place and will need to find a way to win the next three games against Virden in order to make up ground.
A couple of milestones will be reached tonight as the Stampeders step on the ice in Virden. Cody Barnes and Brad Fortin will each be dressing in their 50th MJHL games. Last night the Stampeders celebrated a huge accomplishment by Carter Cockburn who dressed in his 150th MJHL game, all with his home town team.
Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff has put his lineup in a blender ahead of tonight’s contest, looking for a spark offensively from his group in Virden. Trey Sauder will rejoin his line of Justin Keck and Emile Pichette, Adam Ward will now centre a line of Carter Cockburn and Deepkaran Hans, Quinn Mulder will skate alongside Jacob Paler-Chow and Brad Fortin while Callum Fortin joins a line with Cody Barnes and Nicolas Roussel. Scratched tonight are Ethan Matchim, Lare Pahtayken and Darius Makse. Kobe Grant is expected to get the start in goal.
Players to watch
SVS – (Carter Cockburn (18G, 25A), Quinn Mulder (12G, 24A), Adam Rajsigl (7G, 26A) and Brad Fortin (12G, 19A).
VIR – Braden Fischer (28G, 34A), Nathan Driver (27G, 19A), Carson Buydens (20G, 23A) and Dylan Halliday (23G, 18A).
Tonight’s game can also be viewed on hockeytv.com. The puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m..
More to come following the game.