The clock continues to tick on the Selkirk Steelers’ chances of making the Manitoba Junior Hockey League postseason.
For another week, they will chase the Winkler Flyers, who sit 10 points ahead of Selkirk for the fourth and final MGEU East Division playoff spot.
Last week, Selkirk moved two games further into its 58-game season with a back-to-back road series against the Swan Valley Stampeders. Looking to secure four points and close the gap on Winkler, the Steelers struggled to find timely goals despite firing more than 30 shots in both contests.
Selkirk settled for a single point from the weekend road trip after falling 4-3 in a shootout on Friday and 3-2 in regulation on Saturday, with crowds of approximately 250 spectators on both nights.
Selkirk scored the first two goals in Friday’s shootout loss, with tallies from usual scorers Wyatt Witham and Dawson Madden. Swan Valley responded with two goals of its own to tie the game early in the third period.
Witham then notched his second of the night to put Selkirk back in front, 3-2. The lead lasted just four minutes before the Stampeders tied the game again at 10:04 of the third period, sending the contest to overtime tied at three.
A scoreless overtime led to a three-round shootout, where Witham scored Selkirk’s lone goal. Ben Groome and Jake Giacobbo both converted for Swan Valley, which prevailed in the shootout.
Selkirk goaltender Ethan Sawyer finished with 38 saves in the loss, while Swan Valley’s Easton Falls turned aside 29 shots for the win.
The Steelers outshot the Stampeders 37-22 the following night but again came up short. Witham continued his strong weekend by opening the scoring in the first period. Griffin Krone made it 2-0 Selkirk in the second before Swan Valley scored twice late in the period to tie the game at two through 40 minutes.
Noah Stott gave the Stampeders their first lead early in the third period. His goal stood as the lone tally of the frame as Swan Valley secured its second win in as many nights, with Stott earning first-star honours.
Selkirk’s Hudson Hunnie made 19 saves in the loss, while Swan Valley’s Samuel Bastien stopped 35 shots in the win.
The Steelers now hold an 18-20-2-1 record through 41 games, with 17 remaining on the schedule.
This week will provide some much-needed rest and reset time as Selkirk looks to return to the winning ways that marked its strong start to the season just a few months ago.
Following Wednesday night’s game against Neepawa, the Steelers will have five days off before heading to Virden on Tuesday, Feb. 10, to begin a busy stretch to close out the regular season.
Upcoming game:
Wednesday, Feb. 4 — at Neepawa Titans, 7:30 p.m., Yellowhead Centre
