Linemates David Queree, Troy Beauchemin, and Rylan Clemons all had two-point nights as the Steinbach Pistons picked up a 6-1 win over the Neepawa Natives at the TG Smith.
For the first time this season, all four lines for the home side got in on the scoring act as the Pistons outshot Neepawa by a count of 57-27. Matt Lenz was solid in goal as he picked up his MJHL-leading 11th win of the season with 26 saves. Natives netminder Ethan Peterson stopped 51 of 57 shots in the loss.
The Pistons got off to a fast start on the penalty kill, as Queree and Beauchemin broke in on a 2-on-0 rush. They played give-and-go and in the end Queree beat Peterson under the pad for his 2nd of the season 2:20 into the game to give the Pistons a 1-0 lead.
After getting so many chances early in the season, Rylan Clemons finally buried his first career MJHL goal on a pass from Beauchemin to make it 2-0 Pistons. Queree picked up the extra assist on the Detroit native’s first junior goal at the eight minute mark.
Rylan Bettens extended the lead to 3-0 late in the opening frame as he took a pass from Clemons, moved to the slot and beat Peterson five-hole for his 5th of the season. Jackson Kobelka picked up the bonus helper on the play, as Steinbach ended up outshooting Neepawa 27-3 in the period.
The home side picked up right where they left off in the first and notched another goal 59 seconds into the second period; this time it came on the power play. Curtis Ireland threw a shot on goal from the point that hit Max Neill in front, and the rebound popped right out to Zach Purcell, who sniped from the left wing side for a 4-0 lead.
The Natives responded a minute later as Graeme Patrick beat Lenz five-hole to cut the lead to 3. But the Pistons continued to control play in the middle frame, and would get their four-goal lead back with three minutes to go as Neill tipped home his 5th of the season off of a Christian Riemer point shot.
Ty Naaykens would add to the Steinbach lead in the third on a nice passing play from Loney and new acquisition Bryce Young, as he scored on the power play for his 4th of the season to make it 6-1 for Steinbach. Young picked up his first point as a Piston on the play.
The crowd was treated to a bit of fireworks near the end as Beauchemin and Tanner Robin of the Natives dropped the gloves. But Neepawa didn’t really challenge from there as Steinbach skated away with the two points.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pistons went 2 for 3 with the man advantage, while the Natives went 0 for 5.
UP NEXT: Steinbach travels to the Parkland region of Manitoba on Saturday to take on the Dauphin Kings at 7:30 pm. The next home game for the Pistons is on Monday afternoon as they face the Winkler Flyers at 2:30 pm for their annual Remembrance Day game. Get your tickets for that contest by heading online to Steinbachpistons.ca/tickets.