Recap: Stamps defeat Tofield, advance to BRHL Finals
The Hardisty Stampeders advanced to the Battle River Hockey League finals with a game six 4-2 win over the Tofield Satellites on Friday, Feb. 28 in Hardisty and a 4-2 series win.
It was a cold night with minus 30 temperatures, but that didn’t stop the fans from coming out in full force.The 50/50 winner took home over $700.
Hardisty goaltender Jordan Ramstead faced 29 shots and gave a solid performance between the pipes, earning first star honours.
In net for Tofield was Matt Esposito, who faced 35 shots.
The first period was a fast-paced back and forth affair, with the Satellites having the upper hand until Tofield defenseman Chris Dawn put a hold on Cam Dion, who was making a break for the net, and Satellites Captain Ryan Olson was called for a hit to the head on Dion on the same play.
Olson received a 10-minute misconduct.
Hardisty took advantage of the five-on-three with Alex Rodger scoring on a setup from Scott Maetche and Chevan Wilson, putting the Stamps first on the scoreboard.
Hardisty was called for interference early in the second, and Tofield capitalized on the power play, tying the score.
The Stamps took the lead on a Cam Dion goal, from Turner Lachance and Levi Ansell, in the first half of the period.
Satellites Matt Miske got the call for Hooking, then Stampeders Ansell scored on a beauty setup from Dion on the power play to give Hardisty a 3-1 lead after forty.
With under four minutes remaining, the Stamps Shawn Thomson and Satellites tough-guy Dan Chambers were chatting it up on the boards, looking like a heavy-weight match-up was in the works.
Thomson dropped his gloves and Chambers completely backed down, Thomson received four minutes and a game misconduct, however the Satellites were unable to capitalize with the man advantage.
During the third period, both teams were focused and had great scoring chances, and both goaltenders were solid. At the mid-point of the period Satellites scored to make it a 3-2 game.
Under a minute later the Stampeders regained their two-point lead on a goal by Colin Scherger, from Chevan Wilson and Davin Heintz.
The fourth goal marked the 20th goal in the GCS 20 goals for Gold.
The fans went crazy when they scored the goal, now the Stampeders and the Hardisty Arena will split $20,000 donated by GCS Energy to help keep adult and youth hockey and other recreational ice sports in Hardisty!
The Satellites pulled their goalie for an extra attacker but Ramstead kept the puck out of Hardisty’s net and his team kept the play in centre ice.
There was a little pushing and shoving with seconds left in the game resulting in Tofield’s Rene Tessier getting an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty with 0:16 left in the game.
The Stampeders now advance to the BRHL finals where they will go up against the Daysland Northstars, who are gunning for their fourth straight BRHL title.
Game one will take place in Daysland on Friday, Mar. 7, then the two teams will move to Hardisty on Saturday, Mar. 8.
Jae Robbins, Staff Reporter
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