Stampeders 6, Blizzard 3
The Swan Valley Stampeders kicked off their 2020/21 regular season with a 6-3 road victory over the OCN Blizzard on Friday night.
It wasn’t the most ideal start for the Stamps’ as after turning the back over at the Blizzard blue-line, the home-side would come back on a 2 on 1 and Aaron Lorenz’s initial shot was blocked the rebound came out to Jaden Pashe who made no mistake to give the Blizz a 1-0 lead just 14 seconds in.
The Stampeders’ responded a short time later as loose puck came out in the slot and Cody Barnes sniped it over the right shoulder of Danick Rodrigue, for his first MJHL goal to knot up the score.
Swan grabbed their first lead of the night with 2:36 left in the 1st frame as Parker Johnson of Elkhorn, MB tucked in his 1st to make it 2-1 for the visitors but before the buzzer would go off a unfortunate bounce for Swan G Mikael Foucher went off him and then into the back of the net to tie it at 2-2 after 20 minutes.
In the 2nd, the only goal would come from Swan on the PP as after a nice set-up, Haydn Delorme slid it cross ice to Alex Danis who finished it off nicely with the snapshot by the OCN goaltender for his 1st in a Stampeders’ uniform to regain the visitors their one goal lead after 2 periods.
The Stamps’ would continue that momentum into the 3rd where they would strike with three goals in the first 9 minutes off the sticks of Quinn Mulder (1st MJHL goal), Johnson and newly named Captain Lane Kirk to push the Swan Valley to 6-2.
Levi Thiessen added a late goal on the man advantage for the Blizzard whose PP ended up being 1 for 7 on the night, but that’s as close as they would get.
20 year old G Mikael Foucher picked up where he left off from last year, making 42 saves on 45 shots to earn the win while Danick Rodrigue got the start for OCN and allowed 6 goals on 38 shots before being relieved by Nik Jerris who stopped both shots he faced in the final 10 minutes.
The two teams will play the rematch of their weekend series on Saturday night back in Swan River for the Stamps’ Home Opener with the puck drop being at 7PM MB time. Don’t forget to bring your mask to wear, follow the social distancing guidelines that are in place, and get your advanced tickets at www.stampedershockey.ca
Benny’s 3 Stars:
1) Parker Johnson- SV (2G 1A)
2) Mikael Foucher- SV (42 saves and W)
3) Quinn Mulder- SV (1G 2A)
Meanwhile,
Wolverines 7, Kings 3
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines got out to a 6 goal lead and never looked back as they defeated the Dauphin Kings on the road, 7-3.
The Wolverines’ veterans led the way offensively as Gerrik Ripley and Conrad Phillips each had a goal and 2 assists each while Kieran Thiessen, Jacob Charko, Rayman Bassi, Jaymes Knee and Leyton Smith chipped in with the other markers.
Grady Hobbs, Koby Morrisseau and Braeden Young replied for the Kings.
Brendan Foreman, who was acquired in an off-season trade from Humboldt, made 30 saves to earn his 1st victory as a Wolverine.
The Wolverines’ home opener will be the back half of this home and series with Dauphin and puck drop from the Wayway Arena Complex is at 7:30PM MB Time.
Other Friday MJHL scores:
Portage 2, Virden 4
WPG Blues 5, Selkirk 3
Steinbach 2, WPG Freeze 0
Winkler 3, Neepawa 2 (OT)