January 4, 2017
Virden, MB- The Oil Capitals took on the Swan Valley Stampeders Tuesday, January 3 at Tundra Oil & Gas Place. The Caps were looking for their first win of 2017 but fell short facing a 6-3 loss to the Stampeders. Virden Oil Capitals Assistant Coach Carter Duffin said, “We are disappointed that we weren’t tougher to play against at home the last two games. Some nights you don’t get any puck luck, but that can’t be the same night we make some very bad turnovers, and that is what cost us. We will go back to work this morning, to push ourselves forwards.”
The first period the Oil Capitals got behind early in the game as the Stampeders found the back of the net at 7:06 with an unassisted goal from Connor Navrot. The Stampeders put one more away at 12:08 with a goal from Tanner Koroscil assisted by Jack LeBlanc to take the lead 2-0. At the end of the first period, the Stampeders were leading 2-0 and shots on goal were a close 14-13 for the Caps.
The Caps turned things up a notched in the second period putting pressure on the Stampeders. The hard work paid off early with a goal from Jeran Knorr at 2:10 assisted by Carter Cowlthorp and Kyle Salaway, 2-1 Stampeders. The Stampeders answered back, stretching the lead to two with a goal from Noah Basarab at 6:12 assisted by Josh Martin and Brian Harris. Forty-six seconds later Stampeders, Brian Harris found the back of the net, making it 4-1 Stampeders assisted by Josh Martin and Noah Basarab. The Caps got back to work putting pucks on net and putting pressure on the Stampeders. Late in the second at 17:02 the Stampeders put one more up on the board with a goal from Keaton Jameson assisted by Boedey Vaeth and Jordan Valentino, 5-1. The Caps finished off the period right with a goal from Jeran Knorr for his second of the game at 19:13 assisted by Jacob Cronin and Carter Cowlthorp. At the end of the second period, the Stampeders were up 5-2 and shots on goal were 18-7 for the Capitals.
The Capitals kept throwing pucks on net, with Stampeders goaltender, Brian Evans coming up with big saves to keep the Stampeders in the lead. Evan Cusmano with a shot from the point found its way passed Evans assisted by Marco Creta and Kelby Picard, 5-3 Stampeders. The Capitals had the momentum on their side and kept battling trying to get more goals up the board. The Stampeders, Tanner Koroscil scored an empty-net goal at 18:10 assisted by Cody Ellingson and Jordan Valentino. The final score was 6-3 Stampeders and final shots on goal were 51-31 for the Caps.
The Capitals, Jeran Knorr picked up the second star of the game with two goals. The Redferns Farmer Strong Hardest Working Player of the game went to Carter Cowlthorp.
Caps next action is on the road Friday, January 6 against the Winnipeg Blues – 7:30 pm puck drop. The Caps next home action is Friday, January 13 against the Selkirk Steelers – puck drop 7:30 pm.