The Swan Valley Stampeders got off to a very slow start to the 2021-22 MJHL season as they lost their first two games against OCN, giving up nine goals in the process.
Three days after their second straight loss to open the season, Myles Mason scored his first goal of the season and it stood up as the game-winner as the Stampeders earned their first two points of the season with a 3-2 win over their northern rivals.
Then three days later, Nick Pineo and Dylan Black stole the show. Pineo was 39-for-39 for the Blizzard while Black stopped all 30 shots he faced as a shootout was needed to decide a winner. Jamie Valentino and Adam Rajsigl scored in the skills competition as the Stampeders won a thrilling 1-0 contest to even their record at 2-2.
Barry Wolff is back as the team's head coach and general manager and he's proud of how the team rebounded after a slow start.
"We definitely didn't play our best the first two games," said Barry Wolff. "We gradually got better in the last two games. As long as we continue to get better every game, we're going to be fine."
Rajsigl leads Swan Valley offensively so far with two goals and two assists while four Stamps' have three points. This year's Stampeders are represented well locally as Jayden Mosiondz, Jackson Betcher, Trey Sauder are all from Swan River. And the team's captain this year is also from the valley as Carter Cockburn is on top of the team's leadership group this year. Cockburn is a former all-star with the Parkland Rangers program and he's scored once this season while adding two assists.
"I think it's awesome when you can have a local captain, the community knows him extremely well," said Wolff. "It's a win for the team having him as captain and it's a win for the entire community having him a captain."
Following their four-game set with OCN, Swan Valley will begin another four-game series this Thursday with their opponent being the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. They opened their season with three straight wins after falling in their last game against Virden. Led by Boston Bird offensively and Liam Tereposky in net, the Wolverines are thought to be contenders in the league this year and Wolff is looking forward to the challenge.
"They're well-coached and they will play with good structure," ended Wolff. "They have a hot goaltender and a strong group package. It's important for us to get off to a good start on Thursday, they're always tough in their building."
