Submitted by:
Craig Zamzow |
Swan River hosts
Hockey Manitoba
Atom A Provincials
March 3-5, 2017
See below for a season recap and provincials preview.
Photo Courtesy of Wildflower Photography. Click for a larger version.
Front Row (L to R): Christian Hart, Tavyn Boychuk, Andrew Pidskalny, Comrie Quill, Tucker Thompson
Middle Row (L to R): Maddix Eisner, Grace Kirk, Owen Martyniuk, Crystal Zamzow, Kai Gorchynski
Back Row (L to R): Coach Craig Zamzow, Samantha Jo Moshenko, Eli Betcher, Jackson Badowski, Brady Burghart, Coach Daniel Martyniuk, Coach Rick Betcher
Season Recap
The host Atom A Stampeders had a successful season with a 20-7-1 record playing primarily against “AA” competition. Oddly enough they haven’t played a single game against “A” competition yet this year, and hope this will prepare them well for provincials.
They opened the season with a couple exhibition wins before going 4-1 and finishing tied for first in their home tourney in November, following a convincing Sunday afternoon win over the previously unbeaten The Pas Huskies.
In December they travelled to the Dauphin tourney and picked up one of their most impressive and gutty wins with a come from behind victory over the perpetually talented Russell Rams team in the semi-final. However in the A final they coughed up a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 in likely their most disappointing loss, even with the short bench that weekend.
In January they travelled to the Flin Flon tourney and played well, but couldn’t beat Thompson on either occasion, despite out shooting them, and had to settle for a 4th place finish despite an impressive 5-0 shutout win over the hosts, and eventual tourney champion, Flin Flon Bombers.
The first weekend in February was the 39th annual Grub Box Cup in The Pas, which turned out to be a weekend to remember as the club went undefeated (including a 5-0 shutout win over Dauphin) to grab the title. The A final vs Flin Flon Bombers was tied 2-2 in the third period until two Brady Burghart goals proved to be the difference, and an impressive 150 foot two-way individual effort by Jackson Badowski sealed it. “Glowin” Owen Martyniuk’s play between the pipes only got better as the games got more important.
Two weeks ago the Stamps travelled to Thompson for the 18-team, 47th annual Munn Cup. The club disappointed a big crowd in the opener Friday defeating the host King Miners 2-1. The club dominated and shutout the Cross Lake Islanders before eking out a 6-5 victory over the Flin Flon Bombers. In the A final they outshot The Pas Huskies 25-12, but couldn’t beat a red hot Mariko Bercier in the Huskies net, falling 2-0. We’re hoping that leaves a bad taste in the players’ mouths and energizes the club’s trademark relentless puck pursuit, to overwhelm an opponent or two at provincials.
The club has four veterans returning from last year’s provincial champions, three girls who refuse to give the boys an inch, and 7 first-year atoms that will provide a strong nucleus for next year.
In provincials, they will match up against four teams they haven’t faced all year. It’s great to see new teams, but stressful for the OCD portion of the coaching staff as they scour the province for atom scouts willing to share intel in hopes of gaining even the slightest edge.
Provincials Preview
The Stampeders open the round robin vs the Carman Cougars this Friday at 11:15AM. Immediately after opening ceremonies they play a veteran laden Ste. Anne Aces team from Eastman at 4:45PM.
On Friday night during the first intermission of the SV Stampeders game vs Waywayseecappo, an Atom skills exhibition will feature skaters and goalies from all five teams.
On Saturday, the Stamps face the Virden Jr Oil Capitals at 11:45AM, before winding up the round robin in prime time at 5:00PM vs the Rivers Jets.
The medal round will take place on Sunday at 10AM and 11:45AM and the hosts will be very disappointed if they aren’t playing in one of those games.
Come out and cheer on a great group of local 9 & 10 year olds representing schools in Benito, Bowsman, Minitonas, and Swan River. Rumours are circulating that a contingent of their classmates may make an appearance to cheer them on Friday AM. It’s a great opportunity to stop by the corral in Swan River this weekend and see some of the best atom players and teams in rural Manitoba.