The Northern Manitoba Blizzard played three preseason games against the Swan Valley Stampeders and Flin Flon Bombers this past weekend, coming away with two wins in three games.
Friday’s home game against Swan Valley featured a back-and-forth first period. Brady Green, Liam Carlone and Atticus Cruz each found the back of the net for Northern Manitoba, while Chantyn Michell-Thompson and Dawson Martin scored for the Stampeders, leaving the Blizz with a 3–2 lead after the opening frame.
The second period belonged entirely to the Blizzard. Kanye Huang, Odile Grenier and Renat Nahnieiev each scored unanswered goals to extend Northern Manitoba’s lead to 6–2 heading into the final period. Beckett Cross added one more for Swan Valley, while Matthew O’Sullivan answered for the Blizzard, making the final score 7–3 for Northern Manitoba.
Saturday’s road game against Swan Valley was much more competitive compared to Friday’s matchup. The teams battled to a 2–2 tie through two periods before combining for eight goals in an exciting final frame. Fortunately for the Blizzard, they managed to find the back of the net just a few more times, securing a 7–5 victory.
Veteran Blizzard player Dylan Westmann had himself a night, potting two goals, while Swan Valley’s Beckett Cross also scored twice.
Sunday’s final game of the weekend saw the Blizzard travel north to Flin Flon for a Northern Manitoba matchup against the Bombers.
John Adlys opened the scoring with a power-play goal in the first period. Shortly after, Flin Flon’s Carter Stamp-Vincent responded with a power-play marker of his own to tie the game 1–1 heading into the second.
After a scoreless second and third period, the game needed overtime to determine a winner. Just 1:50 into the extra frame, Bombers forward Ben Shaw found the back of the net to give Flin Flon the 2–1 victory.
The Blizzard have just two preseason games remaining this week, both against the Flin Flon Bombers. Friday’s matchup will take place at home, with puck drop slated for 7:00 p.m.
