Swan Valley Stampeders edge Northern Manitoba Blizzard in tight preseason battle

The Swan Valley Stampeders continued their MJHL preseason schedule on a winning note Thursday night, with a  2–1 victory over the Northern Manitoba Blizzard at Swan River Centennial Arena.

After a scoreless first period that featured only one penalty, the Blizzard opened the scoring early in the second. On the power play, Lucas Lorenz found the back of the net at 6:56  to give Northern Manitoba a 1–0 lead.

The Stampeders responded in a big way midway through the frame. Bennett Muller tied the game at 16:17, finishing off a setup from Ryder Boddez.

Just 14 seconds later, Jackson Fleming turned from playmaker to scorer, burying a shot from the point giving Swan Valley a 2–1 advantage and that proved to all the offense needed.

Trigg Pimm stopped 20 of 21 shots in the Stampeders goal before giving way to Easton Falls, who was perfect on all 15 shots he faced to close out the night.

At the other end, Blizzard starter Tyson Endell turned aside 28 of 30 shots before Podgurny came in relief, stopping all eight attempts he faced in the third period.

The Stampeders continue their preseason on the road on Friday night visiting the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, while the Blizzard return to action also on Friday entertaining the SJHL’s Northern Manitoba Blizzard.