Matt Radomsky made 26 saves to record his third straight shutout, and captain Braden Purtill scored two goals on the night as the Steinbach Pistons won their 10th straight game with a 5-0 win over the Selkirk Steelers Sunday evening.
The shutout was Radomsky’s fifth of the season, which leads all MJHL goaltenders. The win improves his record to 12-5-1, and gives him a 2.6 GAA on the season.
The first period began much like yesterday’s game, as both teams could not get much room on the ice. The Pistons outshot the Steelers 13-11, but Selkirk goalie Zachary Bennett stood tall in the net. Bennett stopped 36 of 41 shots in the loss.
The Steelers ran into penalty problems late in the first period, and the Pistons started out with a power play to start the second, and Purtill made no mistake to put Steinbach ahead. The goal was the captain’s 23rd of the year from Mark Taraschuk and Drew Worrad. Near the halfway mark of the second period the Pistons controlled the puck beautifully along the right-hand boards, and Tyson McConnell threaded a pass through the slot right onto the tape of Brendan Martin for a tap-in goal. Martin notched his 8th of the year (7 with Steinbach) from McConnell and Declan Graham at the 9:24 mark to put the Pistons up by 2.
The third period was once again the Pistons at their best, controlling the puck in the offensive zone and not allowing quality chances around Radomsky. Will Koop came in on the rush, and slid a pass through to Purtill who was driving for the net. Purtill backhanded the puck past Bennett to make it 3-0 for Steinbach. With the goal at the 6:36 mark, Purtill scored his team leading 24th goal. Daniel McKitrick intercepted a Selkirk breakout pass, and deked Bennett to roof a back-hander for his 15th and the 4-0 goal.
Bradley Schoonbaert tied Purtill for goals late in the third, as he notched the fifth goal to conclude the scoring with 21 seconds left.
GABER’S FIRST PISTON POINT
Riese Gaber picked up his first point as a Piston on the Schoonbaert goal late in the third period.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pistons went 1 for 4 on the power play, and killed off all 3 man advantages they faced.
UP NEXT: The Pistons will be back on the ice at the TG Smith Centre for 2 games next weekend. They will face the Virden Oil Capitals on Friday night, and then the Neepawa Natives next Sunday night. You can purchase tickets for Friday night’s game at Steinbachpistons.ca, or pick up your tickets one hour prior to the gate opening.