The Swan Valley Stampeders erased a three-game losing streak in dramatic fashion Tuesday night, rallying to defeat the Northern Manitoba Blizzard 4-3 at the Swan River Centennial Arena.
After a scoreless opening period, the Blizzard struck twice early in the second — both on the power play. Captain Kelton Kellerman buried a pair to give the visitors a 2-0 cushion and put the Stamps on their heels.
Swan Valley answered.
Dylan Ruff cut the deficit in half midway through the period, finishing a crisp feed from Crosby Harrison for his 10th of the season. Just 1:40 later, Ryder Woods tied the game, igniting the home crowd and swinging the momentum.
But the Blizzard responded before the intermission. Kayne Pawlick deflected a Lucas Lorenz point shot past Stampeders netminder Niklas Stathos to restore the lead, sending Northern Manitoba into the third period ahead 3-2.
The Stamps pushed back again early in the final frame. Just 4:42 in, Jake Giacobbo redirected a Wylie Smith point shot through Blizzard goaltender Keegan Kelln to knot the game at three.
The winner came just past the midway mark of the third. Aidan Stewart fired a sharp-angle shot that deflected off a Blizzard skate and slipped past Kelln for his first MJHL goal — and what proved to be the game-winner.
Stathos turned aside 20 of 23 shots to improve to 2-1 on the season, while Kelln made 34 saves in the loss.
The Stampeders will try to build momentum Friday night when they host the Neepawa Titans in Swan River. The Blizzard, meanwhile, face the Titans in a neutral-site matchup in Carberry on Wednesday.
Elsewhere in the MJHL:
Selkirk 2, Dauphin 1
Niverville 4, Waywayseecappo 2
Winnipeg Monarchs 4, Virden 3 (SO)
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