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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Nov 23, 2013 20:10:08 GMT -6
Although the Stampede dropped another game today, this time 7-4 to the Lunatics, the front office and coaching staff remain optimistic. It was another good effort, especially for such an offensively challenged team. The defense and goaltending are really slumping right now, and the team is really hoping that they will be able to play their way out of the funk. With so many close games, especially the absurd amount of one-goal losses, there is good reason to believe that the season can still be turned around with more than three quarters of this 19th WHL campaign remaining.
Particularly encouraging are the multi-point efforts of Martin Hanzal and Slava Voynov today. Hanzal because he has so far failed to live up to his off-season hype, tallying big penalty minutes rather than big point totals. Voynov because he is one of the young defenders who the team will need find his way out of his slump to get the squad going in the right direction.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Nov 25, 2013 9:36:34 GMT -6
Another 1 goal loss, today it was 5-4 against the Cougars. The veteran Milan Hedjuk scored two goals to earn the first star in a losing effort and the team mostly stayed out of the penalty box. Young defender Roman Josi scored his first goal of the season and although he was held without a point, Colby Armstrong managed to finish with a +3 rating. Brian Elliott stopped 44 shots.
Unfortunately all streaks and slumps remain intact as the Stampede travel to New York City to face the Demons next. This will be a very difficult matchup, but we've all seen the big upset when it's least expected...
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Nov 27, 2013 5:57:49 GMT -6
Scoring 4 goals every game would generally be considered a bright spot, you would expect the team to win more often than not... however when you allow the opponent to score 11 times, those 4 goals don't look so hot any more. That's what happened when the Stampede visited the Demons, and there really isn't a lot to expand on in this slaughter. The Demons didn't have any players with a hat trick, so there's that...
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Scranton Thunderbolts
Undrafted
New coaches. New city. New Attitude. T-Bolts Inaugural Season 2013-14
Posts: 126
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Post by Scranton Thunderbolts on Nov 27, 2013 13:11:38 GMT -6
Great PR Ryan!
It IS tough to write about losses. Especially blowouts like that.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 1, 2013 12:14:16 GMT -6
when 4 goals a game isn't enough, score 8!
That's what worked for the Stampede on Friday in an 8-7 victory over the Cats. 6 different players had multiple point efforts and Brian Elliott picked up his first victory of the season. The victory is just the fourth on the season for this patchwork roster of less than talented forwards, although it is a bright spot that gives hope for many more to come just around the corner.
The next chance to add to their point total will be tomorrow when the Voodoo come in to Nashville.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 2, 2013 11:45:51 GMT -6
Two in a row? Let's go streaking!
Martin Hanzal scored his team leading 10th goal of the season today as the Stampede beat the Voodoo 3-1. Brian Elliott made 27 saves for his second victory of the season, also the second in a row for the Stampede who have now won 5 games at the quarter mark of the season with 12 points in 21 games.
Although the early portion of this season has been a tremendous struggle for the team, the recent success has the squad at just 3 points out of the 8th spot. To be successful in the remainder of the season, the team will need to draw more penalties and capitalize on a surprisingly strong power play. The power play unit is currently 6th in the league with 21.8% success.
An old theory in hockey is that when a team has a combined special team rate over 100%, they will be a playoff team. The Stampede right now with their 21.8% on the power play, and 81% on the penalty kill (13th in WHL) are above that number with a 102.8% rating. Hopefully this continues and the first quarter proves to be an exception, if the team can win more one-goal games in the remainder of the season, they will quickly be in the battle for the final playoff spot.
Next up, the Express visit Nashville for Game 22.
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Scranton Thunderbolts
Undrafted
New coaches. New city. New Attitude. T-Bolts Inaugural Season 2013-14
Posts: 126
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Post by Scranton Thunderbolts on Dec 2, 2013 12:19:27 GMT -6
I'd rather not. It's too cold
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 3, 2013 17:29:40 GMT -6
4 goals again, another loss... I don't know, maybe if we didn't allow 70 freaking shots then we wouldn't have allowed 10 freaking goals either...
So a 10-4 loss against the Express, well we had three players with multi-point efforts. And despite the 10 goals allowed, only one Stampede player was worse than -3, actually five players were +1 and three others were even. David Legwand sent 8 shots on goal and scored twice, so there were a few positives. No new streaks or slumps though, we really, really, really need some streaks.
Next, a NLHS rivalry as the Thunderbolts are up on the schedule. Commissioner's Cup Lite!
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Scranton Thunderbolts
Undrafted
New coaches. New city. New Attitude. T-Bolts Inaugural Season 2013-14
Posts: 126
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Post by Scranton Thunderbolts on Dec 3, 2013 22:19:44 GMT -6
Should be a good one, whether WHL or NLHS our teams always play close games except I think in NLHS last year I had a 5-1 win somewhere.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 7, 2013 6:53:39 GMT -6
David Legwand sparks victory over new rival T-Bolts.
The management teams of the Stampede and Thunderbolts (as well as Patriots and Schooners) have had past rivalries in other leagues, so it is a big deal for these squads to meet on the ice in the WHL. And although clearly outmatched on paper, the Stampede got past the Thunderbolts on Friday with a 5-3 victory.
David Legwand scored two goals and added an assist. That brings his totals for a 5 game point streak to 6 goals and 2 assists, surely a candidate for player of the week?
Martin Hanzal and Val Filppula continue to rack up the assists and are actually producing at a point-per-game pace (hello Vinny and Poni!), while Brian Elliott has earned his third victory of the season. All of this combines for the team's third win in the last four games, despite no improvement in their streaks and slumps.
The club is looking forward to carrying their new momentum into the next matchup with the Lunatics.
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Scranton Thunderbolts
Undrafted
New coaches. New city. New Attitude. T-Bolts Inaugural Season 2013-14
Posts: 126
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Post by Scranton Thunderbolts on Dec 7, 2013 12:19:17 GMT -6
Good game Ryan, our games are always close. I'll get you next time Jacob "Jesus" Trouba and Riley "Better Than Colton Orr" Nash debut next sim!
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 10, 2013 18:34:20 GMT -6
The up and down play continues.
This time a 5-1 loss against the Lunatics. The moment the Stampede get the slightest bit of confidence, they drop the ball (puck?) in a big way... There aren't really any positives to highlight in this contest, maybe that nobody was injured?
Next up is the Demons... yay
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 13, 2013 8:15:57 GMT -6
Sometimes things go exactly as expected
A 6-2 loss against the Demons is pretty much what we thought would happen, although perhaps surprising that it wasn't worse. Milan Hejduk added a goal to his franchise leading totals, and Val Filppula notched another assist to remain among the league leaders. No changes to streaks and slumps, and no injuries.
Traditional powerhouse Las Vegas Bulls visit the Stampede today.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 13, 2013 9:51:59 GMT -6
My how times have changed
The once untouchable Bulls were beaten by the Stampede today 4-3. Even though the standings haven't changed, the Stampede's season definitely has. They will still struggle for wins all season, but at least there is hope. With a few slumps to the right teams, and a few streaks for the Stampede, they could potentially put together just enough of a surge to sneak into that last playoff spot. But that's a long time from now.
Today was a team effort. David Legwand scored twice and has tied Martin Hanzal for the team lead with 10 goals. Valterri Filppula scored a goal and added another assist, his 22nd of the season which is tied for 5th in the league. Brian Elliott now has 4 wins, passing Tuukka Rask for the team lead, how long will he keep the starting job before Rask returns to the net? who knows, Elliott is a fan favorite and is getting the wins so he stays in for now with his +1 streak.
Once again, no injuries or streaks/slumps today.
Next up is the Voodoo who the Stampede beat 3-1 recently.
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Scranton Thunderbolts
Undrafted
New coaches. New city. New Attitude. T-Bolts Inaugural Season 2013-14
Posts: 126
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Post by Scranton Thunderbolts on Dec 13, 2013 10:53:22 GMT -6
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 14, 2013 7:35:46 GMT -6
The Nashville Stampede have acquired winger Wayne Simmonds from the Scranton Thunderbolts in exchange for the Stampede's second round pick in the next draft. This means that with their first two picks, they have now picked up Tuukka Rask and Simmonds. Already the most successful "Draft" that this team has ever had.
Expect Simmonds to be skating on a line with Valterri Filppula on Monday against the Voodoo, although he is on a -1 slump at this time, this has potential to be the top scoring line for the Stampede for the remainder of this season.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 15, 2013 8:16:32 GMT -6
Another addition to bolster the wings
Veteran help was added to the lineup today when the Sparrows agreed to send Steve Sullivan to the Stampede in exchange for the Stampede's 5th round pick in WHL20 and farm winger Nicolas Blanchard. Sullivan is winding down his career but can still bring a lot of value to Nashville this season as they attempt to come back from a disastrous start. "Sully" will be immediately placed on the first line with Milan Hejduk and Curtis Glencross.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 17, 2013 9:03:01 GMT -6
Stampede are cursed by Voodoo
The "new" Stampede may take a few games to gel, that was apparent today when the Voodoo avenged their previous loss with a 7-4 win over Nashville. Ryan McDonagh opened the scoring, but the Voodoo surged ahead with three scores in six minutes during the first period. It appeared that the Stampede had the fighting spirit to win when they also scored three in a row to open the second period, including Wayne Simmonds first goal with the club just 10 seconds in, and took a 4-3 lead.
But it's difficult to keep a roster featuring Nash, Vanek and Ovechkin from racking up goals, and the Voodoo put in another four to close out the Stampede easily. Brian Elliott did stop 41 shots, and the unlikely Manny Malhotra scored a goal and assist after having a total of three points in the previous 15 games that he has dressed this season.
To make room for the new additions, the club waived winger Colton Gillies. Gillies did not clear waivers, but didn't have to go too far to meet his new teammates as he was claimed by the Voodoo. Gillies was originally claimed in the WHL16 waiver draft and scored 47 points (25g, 22a) in 173 games with the Stampede.
Tomorrow will be the next chance to get on the winning track when the Cats make their way to Nashville.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 18, 2013 10:50:35 GMT -6
Brian's Big Day
Brian Elliott recorded just his second shutout with the Stampede today by stopping 44 shots. The second perfect outing came in his 198th start, in other words it was unexpected. Better yet, he didn't have to be perfect as the team gave him six goals of offensive support in beating the Cats 6-0.
Other big days were defender Clayton Stoner with two goals from the third pairing. Stoner also received a +1 streak after the game and will see his ice time increase as his role expands. Then Valterri Filppula spread the wealth by dishing out three assists. Flip now has 26 assists in 28 games, second best in the league overall and most among forwards as he continues a great season racking up those helpers.
Martin Hanzal added his team leading 11th goal of the season and newcomer Steve Sullivan tallied his first score for the Stampede. Steady defenseman Kevin Klein picked up his first minor penalty of the season despite appearing in all 28 games.
Tomorrow the Stampede hit the road to take on the Corinthians.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Dec 20, 2013 12:27:21 GMT -6
Game 29
Elliott frustrates Corinths as Stampede surge.
Brian Elliott is riding high, coming off of a 44 save shutout against the Cats, he put up a huge 48 save game today in a 3-1 victory over the Wales Conference leading Corinths.
The lone goal by the Corinths was scored by the young John Tavares, a phenomenal talent, there is no shame in giving up a score to that stud.
Valterri Filppula was a hero today with two goals, including the game winner. All three Stampede goals were assisted by defenseman Andrew Ference who was only recently inserted back into the lineup, appearing in just 5 games so far this season despite being one of the best ever in franchise history.
The team gained two points on the Rink Rats and Bulls who both lost today. It brings the point total up to 20 for the season and just three points behind the 7th/8th spot teams.
Next up, the Pasadena Patriots come to Nashville for a "Yuletide Beating"
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 1, 2014 20:42:02 GMT -6
Game 30
Stampede run over Patriots
The Stampede move to just one point out of the 8th spot today with a 6-1 win over the last place Patriots. The team scored two goals in each frame featuring six different goal scorers. In fact, only one player had a multi-point game and that was Marc Staal with two assists. In all, 14 different skates finished the day with a point including goals by newcomers Steve Sullivan and Wayne Simmonds.
Brian Elliott continues his hot play with 26 saves to earn his 7th win of the season. His record improves to 7-10-1 as he edges closer to the .500 mark. The team as a whole sits at 10-18-2 which is actually the 8th most wins and 8th fewest losses in the conference. The team also has the 6th most goals scored, but just the 9th fewest goals against. Very close to that playoff birth, and the season is still not to the halfway point.
The Stampede are one of just two teams in the division with a winning record over the past 10 games, and one of just four teams in the conference that is currently on a winning streak. They sit one point behind the Rink Rats and Bulls for the 7th/8th spot.
The club has a chance to surpass those teams on Day 31 when they Rink Rats visit Nashville. We will also be keeping an on the Bulls who welcome the Polar Bears to Las Vegas. Rumor has it that despite the recent success, we may see a few call-ups to the roster.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 5, 2014 5:46:50 GMT -6
Game 31
Rats wiggle out of Stampede's grasp
With a chance to pull into the top eight, the Stampede lose a very close contest to the Rink Rats 3-2. The loss puts the Stampede three points back of the Rats and still one point behind the Bulls. It was Zach Parise who did the damage today with two goals and an assist while former Stampede defender Ryan Suter added two assists for Minnesota. In total the Rats also outshot the Stampede 36-29.
For the Stampede, Brian Elliott continued to play well with 33 saves in his 200th career start with the Stampede, just the second goalie to reach that mark behind Brian Boucher, and the 49th player overall in franchise history. Veteran Steve Sullivan scored one and assisted on the other. Sully now has four points in his five games with the team.
No players were injured and all streaks/slumps remain intact. Although we didn't see the call-ups that were previously mentioned, there is still talk that they are coming sooner or later and it has recently surfaced that the team might be looking to make another trade or two.
Monday could still be a big day for the Stampede as they welcome the Warriors to town. Scoreboard watchers will be interested in tough matchups for the Rink Rats (vs Stallions) and Bulls (vs Lunatics).
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 13, 2014 17:01:03 GMT -6
Game 32
As is usual with the Stampede franchise, things never turn out the way they want. A tough loss to the Warriors today and wins by the Bulls and Rink Rats mean that the Stampede are now three points out of the 8th spot.
The first half of today's contest was back and forth. An opening goal by Corey Perry for the Warriors was answered by Patrick Eaves. In the second period Tim Gleason netted one for the opposition, followed up by Milan Hejduk. Toward the halfway point, Colby Armstrong gave the Stampede the lead, but it was Perry again to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the third.
From that point it was the Warriors in control. Three straight goals in the first seven minutes from Devin Setoguchi, Perry with a hat trick and Justin Abdelkader sealed the Stampede's fate. The herd did get another marker from Patrick Eaves to make it 6-4 with five minutes to play, but the Warriors held off the comeback attempt and Setoguchi added another goal in the final minute for good measure.
Next up on the schedule, a head-to-head meeting with the Rink Rats.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 13, 2014 17:22:07 GMT -6
Game 33
Resilient.
That is the Stampede, after two tough losses the team rallied for a big win over the Rink Rats today. Martin Hanzal opened the scoring and the Stampede held a 6-2 lead after two periods, eventually settling for a 6-4 victory. Several Stampede players had big days, led by Hanzal with two and two for a four point night. Val Filppula had three helpers and Wayne Simmonds had a goal and two assists. Brian Elliott stopped 45 shots to earn his eighth victory, all within the past 14 games.
This moves the team back to three points behind the Rink Rats and two behind the Bulls who tied the Cougars 4-4 today. This battled for 7th-9th remains interesting as the mid-point of the season approaches. The Stampede have a very tough match tomorrow with the Fighting Irish, while the Rink Rats face the Dugouts and the Bulls take on the Grizzlies.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 13, 2014 17:35:20 GMT -6
Day 34
Well, it was definitely the tough match with the Irish that we expected as the Stampede lose this one 10-2. Not much can be said about such a huge defeat. Can we find some bright spots? Of course.
Newly claimed winger Jochen Hecht scored his first goal of the season, and Brian Elliott did come up with 62 saves. Other than that, this one is a contest that the Stampede would like to put behind them quickly and move on to the next contest. The Rink Rats beat the Dugouts to put them five points ahead of ninth, they might be playing themselves out of the conversation for the moment. The Bulls however dropped their contest with the Grizzlies to maintain the two point difference.
Next up, the Stampede get yet another match with the Warriors as the Bulls take on the Stallions.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 13, 2014 17:46:50 GMT -6
Day 35
The eighth seed Stampede
It's true! The Bulls allowed just one goal to the Stallions today but failed to score one of their own which keeps that team at 11 wins and 26 points. The Stampede meanwhile take out the Warriors with a 4-1 score to also move to 26 points but they earn the tie-break with 12 victories.
Veteran defenseman Andrew Ference led the way in this one with a goal and two assists. The Stampede also had contributions form Steve Sullivan, Wayne Simmonds and Joey Crabb. Goaltender Brian Elliott had a much easier outing in this one, needing just 28 saves to earn his ninth win of the season.
Next on the schedule is a road trip to Boston to take on the Snowdogs and their five game winning streak while the Bulls will host the Sparrows. There are also a lot of rumors heating up surrounding the Stampede and potential trades, stay tuned...
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 13, 2014 20:34:57 GMT -6
the latest out of Nashville is that as many as six players could make their Stampede debut in Boston...
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 14, 2014 17:23:45 GMT -6
Trading Day
Where to start? Not only were the rumors of possible trade true, but there were multiple deals and a huge amount of players, prospects and picks moved.
We all remember the deal WHL17 trade with the Bulls that brought Vincent Lecavalier to town and sparked a run to the conference finals. Well, the Bulls are trading partners again and the expectation is no lower than it was two years ago.
First the departed players.
In the revolving door category is Wayne Simmonds who was just recently acquired from the Thunderbolts. Simmonds had appeared in nine games with the Stampede and scored six points. He was a last minute addition to push the deal over the edge. Next was the underachieving Martin Hanzal. Although he was having a decent season offensively, the front office was really hoping that this was the season that he would take control of the team and be a force up the middle. Instead Hanzal has been bouncing around the wings on the middle lines and racking up too many penalty minutes. On the blueline, veteran Andrew Ference was sent to Las Vegas. Ference has produced a lot offensively in his tenure with the Stampede and this season was no different. Although he was scratched for the majority of the early portion this season, he found his way back into the lineup and added eight points in just 11 appearances, showing that he is still a big contributor on the scoresheet.
Prospects Curtis Lazar and Austin Watson were both included, neither are make or break players for the Stampede future, a future that admittedly has never included many top prospects. To go along with them are a bounty of draft picks. A first, two seconds and two thirds. Any WHL historian will agree that the Stampede are much better off trading their picks than wasting them as they have for the last 19 seasons. Sent on waivers to make room for the new players are forwards John Mitchell, Daniel Paille and Joey Crabb.
Now the players joining the Stampede.
Center Brooks Laich will replace Hanzal and hopefully more. Although he doesn't bring the defensive responsibility that Hanzal had, team management felt that they were okay in that department and are counting on Laich being a strong combo-punch with Val Filppula. Winger Dustin Brown is the gem of the deal, a tough forward who will contribute at both ends of the ice and instantly be looked at to be one of the leaders in the dressing room. An all around upgrade on Wayne Simmonds. Also on wing and completing a possibly new first line, Drew Stafford. Offensively, Stafford should have the best pure shot on the team along with nice skating skills. The Stampede also bring in Tom Gilbert to the blueline, he doesn't have the offensive skills of Ference but should be an upgrade defensively and has more years left in the WHL than Ference.
After that deal was announced, the Stampede swung another deal sending prospect Chris Mueller to the Schooners for Mikael Samuelsson who will provide yet another option for depth scoring. That deal opened up a roster spot for the team to call up defenseman Steve Oleksy.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 14, 2014 18:30:45 GMT -6
Game 36
Stampede Snap Snowdogs' Streak
The new players paid off today as the Stampede picked up a 3-1 win over the Snowdogs who had been riding a five game win streak. In fact all three goals were by or assisted by a player in his debut.
Alex Semin had the Boston faithful going just 24 seconds into the game and it looked like the Dogs were off to a great start, but not so fast... Brooks Laich scored only nine seconds later. The rest of the game was fairly quiet as the 1-1 tie held through the second period. Once again it was Laich who decided to kick things off quickly as he scored his second of the contest, the game winner, just 44 seconds into the third. Later in that period Mikael Samuelsson assisted on the insurance goal by Steve Sullivan. Brian Elliott earned his 10th win of the season.
The Bulls were defeated 3-1 by the Sparrows, Martin Hanzal scored the lone goal for Las Vegas. The Rink Rats were beaten 8-3 against the Roustabouts who are also coming into today's contest with a big trade. Next on the schedule the Rats visit the Schooners and the Bulls host the Stallions. The Stampede are now two points ahead of the Bulls and two points behind the Rink Rats.
The Stampede will remain on the road as they face the Dugouts who have been on a slide but remain dangerous.
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Post by Ryan - Guardians on Jan 19, 2014 14:31:54 GMT -6
Game 37
Stampede now riding unbeaten streak after 4-4 tie with Dugouts.
Brooks Laich continues his hot start to his Stampede career by scoring a goal and assist and the Stampede maintain their spot in the Standings. The downside here is that the team had a stranglehold on this game with a 4-1 lead at the halfway point. Curtis Glencross, Milan Hejduk, Jochen Hecht and Laich all scored before the Stampede allowed three goals to let the lead slip away, they also gave up a hat trick to Magnus Paajarvi.
But with two wins leading into this one, after the ugly start to this season, every point gained is a welcome point. The Rink Rats also had a tie today and the Bulls managed to slide by the Stallions. On Sunday the Rats face the Sparrows while the Bulls match up with the Thunderbolts.
The Stampede will be scoreboard watching again after they are tested by the Patriots on Sunday.
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