Stamps clinch 6th with OT win over Neepawa; will play Winnipeg in Quarter-Finals

All the Swan Valley Stampeders needed on the final night of the MJHL regular season was a single point, but they got one more for good measure as they defeated the Neepawa Natives in overtime on Tuesday night, 3-2 to clinch the 6th seed going into the MJHL playoffs.

After a scoreless 1st period, the Stamps would open the scoring at the 7:27 mark of the middle frame as the MJHL's Player of the Month for February Tristan Mullin would another one to start March as he would make a beauty move around the Neepawa blueliner and then forehand, backhand and slip it over top of Alex Henry for his team leading 24th to give the Stamps a 1-0 lead. But just a short time later, Stephen Mather would rip it over top the left shoulder of Graham Hunt for his 15th to tie things up at 1-1 after 40 minutes.

Neepawa would take their first lead of the night just 2:57 into the 3rd, as Neepawa captain and former Yorkton Terrier Steven Phillip, playing in his final junior gae would deflect home his 22nd to make it 2-1. But that lead wouldn't last long, 34 seconds to be exact as 16 year old local product Tristan Langan would bang home his 12th of the year to even things up at 2-2 as we head to overtime as the Stamps would earn the single point they needed.

But they would get the 2nd point as well as just 41 seconds into the extra period as Colton Brausen (pictured above) would pounce on a loose puck and hammer home his 9th to give the Stamps the 3-2 victory in the overtime to finish off the regular season on a high note.

Stamps' netminder Graham Hunt stopped 44 shots for the win while 20 year old Alex Henry, in his final Jr. game would make 45 saves in the losing cause.

The Stamps will be the 6th seed in the playoffs, and that sets up a date with the Winnipeg Blues in the MJHL Quarter-Finals, most likely to start  mid next week.

Stamps HC/GM Erik Petersen's Post Game Recap/Comments




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The MJHL Quarter- Final matchups are as follows:

1. Portage Terriers vs. (Lowest Seeded Survivor from Survivor Series)
2. Steinbach Pistons vs. (Highest Seeded Survivor from Survivor Series)
3. Winnipeg Blues vs. 6. Swan Valley Stampeders
4. Winkler Flyers vs. 5. Virden Oil Capitals

MJHL Survivor Series

7. Selkirk Steelers vs. 10. OCN Blizzard
     GM 1. @SEL (Thurs)
     GM 2. @OCN (Sat)
     **GM 3. @SEL (Sun)

**If Necessary

8. Wayway Wolverines vs. 9. Dauphin Kings
     GM 1. @WAY (Thurs) 7:30PM
     GM 2. @DAU (Sat) 7PM
     **GM 3. @WAY

**If necessary

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SJHL Quarter-Final Matchups

1. Melfort Mustangs vs. (Lowest Seed Survivor from Survivor Series)
2. Kindersley Klippers vs. (Highest Seeded Survivor from Survior Series.
3. Melville Millionaires vs. 6. Nipawin Hawks
4. Notre Dame Hounds vs. 5. Flin Flon Bombers

SJHL Survivor Series

7. Battlefords North Stars vs. 10. Estevan Bruins
       GM 1 @ BFD (Fri)
       GM 2 @ BFD (Sat)
       GM 3 @ EST (Mon)
       **GM 4 @ EST (Tues)
      ** GM 5 @ BFD (Thurs)    

**If Necessary

8. Humboldt Broncos vs. 9. Weyburn Red Wings
     GM 1 @ HUM  (Fri)
     GM 2 @ WEY (Sat)
     GM 3 @ HUM (Mon)
     **GM 4 @ WEY (Tues)
     **GM 5 @ HUM (Thurs)

**If necessary