It’s time for the final Three Stars of the Week, which is brought to you by Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium. Every Monday we have been awarding three players who had a big week and giving them stars. This was done week-to-week with points accumulating throughout the season. The top three will players will be recognized and presented an award during our final home game this Saturday Mar. 5 by Dana Paull of Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium.
The Swan Valley Stampeders had a bad week offensively and it happened in a very pivotal part of their playoff push. The Stampeders only scored two goals in two games against Virden who has now moved five points ahead of Swan Valley for third place in the West Division.
Swan Valley travelled to Virden last Friday and found themselves in the game until the second period where the team gave up two power play markers and an empty-net goal in their fifth shutout loss of the year.
The Stampeders came out flying on home ice scoring two goals in six and a half minutes and looking like the Stampeders we are used to seeing. That offence all but dried up and the Oil Capitals scored three goals in six minutes during the second period, adding an empty-net goal to win 4-2.
Throughout the two games, Swan Valley gave up 87 shots against and the score could have been worse if it wasn’t for the goaltending tandem of Dylan Black and Kobe Grant. The two 19-year-old goaltenders from B.C. did everything they could to give their team a chance to win both nights but offensively it just wasn’t there.
Swan Valley will now focus on the final two weeks of their regular season with just five games left in the 2021/22 season. The Stampeders will host the OCN Blizzard Wednesday, Mar. 2 at the Centennial Arena. A game that will see Manitoba Health Restrictions reduced. As of Mar. 1, there will be no proof of vaccination required at the door to enter, meaning it is open to the public. Mask ARE still MANDATORY. The Stampeders will then travel to OCN Friday night with a return game Saturday, Mar. 5 at the Centennial Arena. Saturday night’s contest will be FREE admission to the general public.
Three stars point system is as follows:
1st Star = 3 points
2nd Star = 2 points
3rd Star = 1 point
Check back every Monday for the Paull Funeral Home & Crematorium, Three Stars of the week.
THREE STARS (Feb. 20 – Feb. 27)
3rd Star
Quinn Mulder returns to the three stars of the week with two solid efforts this past week. The 20-year-old collected one assist during the two losses last week. The Terrace, B.C. product plays both ends of the ice and continues to add offence for his team. The 6’2” 200lbs forward sits second in team scoring with 38 points (12G, 26A).
2nd Star
Justin Keck has been a treat to watch since returning to the team that drafted him in the MJHL. His hard work every shift continues to bring the 19-year-old success at this level. The Morris, MB product was rewarded with a highlight-reel goal Saturday night flying through the defence and wiring home his eighth of the season. The 5’10” 170lbs forward sits 11th in team scoring with 16 points (8G, 8A).
1st Star
Kobe Grant dressed in Virden last Friday giving up two goals on 38 shots directed his way in a 3-0 loss. The 19-year-old was then called upon to finish the game in Swan River Saturday night where he stopped all nine shots he faced. The B.C. product posted a 1.50 GAA and a .978 SV% during his play last week and now sits with a record of 11-15-0-1 posting a 3.30 GAA and a .908 SV%.
STANDINGS (FINAL NUMBERS – including this week – POSTED BELOW)
1st Star – 19 – Carter Cockburn
2nd Star – 14 – Kobe Grant
3rd Star – 13 – Cody Barnes
11 – Quinn Mulder
8 – Justin Keck
7 – Adam Rajsigl
6 – Brad Fortin
6 – Ethan Matchim
5 – Justin Keck
4 – Jacob Paler-Chow
4 – Callum Fortin
3 – Dylan Black
3 – Trey Sauder
3 – Tyler Park
2 – Myles Mason
2 – Collin Jennings
1 – Darius Makse