The Waywayseecappo Wolverines met the Swan Valley Stampeders for the first time this season on Tuesday night and were unable to keep it close as the Stampeders would come away with a 6-2 win.
It was the Wolverines who would strike first in the opening period when Jake Bestul and Gerrick Ripley connected with Caleb Paisley who broke free all alone and made no mistake, firing one past the glove of Marek Pipes.
After the Wolverines took an early lead, Swan Valley’s high powered offense didn’t take long to respond. Matthew Osadick would tie the game at 1-1 on the power play with his 14th of the season on a tic-tac-toe play.
The Wolverines would get a four-minute man advantage after Alexander Uryga took a double minor for his high sticking penalty. Despite having a few chances, the Wolverines were unable to solve Pipes.
With just under four minutes to go in the first period, Swan Valley would take the lead when Brian Harris backhanded one past Isaac LaBelle. Waywayseecappo would take their third penalty of the period which would end up resulting in one more Stampeders goal. Bradly Goethals would shoot one through the screen past LaBelle, putting Swan Valley ahead 3-1.
Isaac LaBelle made a pair of saves early in the second period that would keep the Wolverines within two goals. The Wolverines would end up finding an answer when Gerrick Ripley scored his first of the season on a rebound after Dylan Soosay’s shot rang off the crossbar. Jake Bestul picked up the secondary assist off the rush when he found Soosay streaking into the middle.
The second period was quiet on the scoresheet with each team taking a penalty and the Wolverines getting the lone goal. After two periods, it would be the Stampeders leading on the shot clock, 26-19.
Although the Wolverines made up some ground in the second period, it was Swan Valley who came out ready to go in the third. Just over three minutes into the frame, Josh Tripp scored his 13th of the season to double the Stampeders lead to 4-2.
Less than two minutes later, Bradly Goethals scored his second of the game and 11th of the season to push the Stampeders lead to 5-2. Swan Valley would round out the scoring on the night with just over one minute to play when Alexander Uryga would score to make it 6-2 Stampeders.
The Wolverines had no shortage of opportunities on the power play, but once again were unable to connect, going 0 for 6. Swan Valley made the most of their chances on the man advantage going 3 for 6. Swan Valley led on the shot clock at the final buzzer, 37-25.
The loss drops the Wolverines to 11-10-1-2. The two clubs won’t have to wait long for the rematch, as Swan Valley makes another trip to the Waywayseecappo Arena Complex on Friday night.