Sunday, October 23, 2011

HEARTBREAKER IN PORTAGE

After getting out to a sluggish start, and falling behind 3-0 through 20 minutes, and 5-1 through 40, the Swan Valley Stampeders battled back to tie it 5-5 with 33 seconds left in regulation.

Overtime appeared certain, until Portage's Mike Gemmill potted the winner with 14 ticks left on the clock.

Beau Taylor scored for the Stamps in the second period, while the comeback was sparked by Connor Pennell, Jagger Thomas, T.J. Fairall and Brendan Mitchell.

The powerplay was also a big reason the Stamps clawed back. They scored 3 times on the PP in the third period, and went 4/9 on the night.

On a totally unrelated note, the officials' calls on scoring plays were attrocious. The Stamps' third goal was plain as day... Robby Moar centring to Jeff Riddell. Riddell was stopped, and Connor Pennell put in the rebound. They gave it to Tony Patridge. The assists were way off, and I see they're now corrected, but that was definitely Pennell's goal. The tying goal, Mitchell took a one-timer... it appeared to go off something in front and in. Mitchell didn't even get an assist. It was credited to Fairall (who I'm pretty sure was lined up on the other point and set up Mitchell's one-timer). As I said on the broadcast, personal stats are secondary, but it's nice to get them right.

I was also told that two of Yorkton's goals from Saturday in Humboldt were credited to the wrong guy, and assists were wrong on two other goals. They've now been changed. But it's frustrating!

The Stamps are now winless in 10 of their last 11 games, and are off until Friday, when they start another 3-in-3 stretch. They host Neepawa Friday, go to Dauphin Saturday, and to Neepawa Sunday.

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The Melville Millionaires continue to struggle in overtime and shootouts, as they fell 4-3 (SO) to the Weyburn Red Wings at Horizon Credit Union Centre.

They're now 1-4 in games after regulation, including 0-3 in shootouts. Infact, Millionaires shootouts are 0/8 as a team in shootouts.

17-year-old rookies Allen Kilback and T.J. Reeve continued their recent strong play. Reeve scored twice, and gave Melville their only lead of the game with 3:28 remaining, before Jesse Ross tied it for Weyburn with his second of the night with 1:22 left.

Kilback had two assists, as did Bob Pond, while Tyson Newell also scored.

Alex Wakaluk was a big reason why the Mils got a single point, as they were out-shot 16-5 in the third period, 41-33 on the night, and he made 38 saves.

The Mils welcome Humboldt on Wednesday.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What do you think of the decision to throw Rakochy in cold for the shootout after Wakaluk's strong performance?

Craig Stein said...

Didn't realize that happened. The Mils have struggled in shootouts, guess they were trying anything to change that. Zach is normally very good on breakaways, and did only allow one goal. Shooters gotta score at the other end!

Anonymous said...

What is your take on Rakochy not being played - what's up with that? Why bring him back to sit him.