Jacob Johnstone’s goal just 51 seconds into the third period proved to be the game winner as the Stampede extended their winning streak to three games with a 2-1 win over Tri-City Friday night at the Sioux Falls Arena. Matt Bailey tallied his seventh goal of the year while Lino Chimienti stopped 12 shots to earn his fifth win of the year. The win improved to the Stampede’s record to 7-1-2 and vaulted them into second place in the West Division. They now lead the Storm by one point for second place and trail first place Omaha by two points.

Tri-City got on the board first, 13:21 into the game when Tyler Pistone fired a shot from inside the right circle into the upper left hand corner of the net. The Stampede had several opportunities to score, but Carsen Chubak was spectacular in goal, making 10 saves in the period.

The Stampede dominated the second period, out shooting the Storm 13-2. They were finally able to break through at 16:31 when former Storm forward blasted a shot from the left circle into the right hand corner of the net to make it a 1-1 game after two periods.

In the third, the Stampede wasted little time scoring just 51 seconds into the period. Sam Coatta took the puck from behind the Tri-City net and fed Johnstone in the slot who slipped the puck under the pads of Chubak to make it a 2-1 game. The Stampede appeared to go up 3-1 later in the period when Matt Lindblad scored on a wrap-around, but the goal was waved off because it hit the protective netting prior to him scoring the goal. The Stampede kept control of the game the rest of the way, never allowing Tri-City to get much going. Chimienti stopped all six shots in the period to preserve the win.

The Stampede out shot the Storm 32-13 on the night and finished 0 for 6 while stopping Tri-City on all of their four powerplay opportunities. The Stampede return to action Saturday night when they host Indiana at 7:05 PM.

Courtesy: Jim Olander, Sioux Falls Stampede