The Pistons will make the short trip to Niverville on Thursday night for game 4 of the MJHL quarter-finals with a chance to close out round 1.
Steinbach won both games one and two 5-2. Game three took double overtime to find a winner on Tuesday night at the HyLife Centre. It was Kirk Mullen who would eventually seal the deal for the blue and white. This was the Pistons first goal scored on the powerplay so far this series.
Nighthawks goaltender Raiden Legall was outstanding, stopping 43/46 shots he faced. The 17-year-old rookie has been the difference maker for Niverville and will need to be again in game 4 to keep their playoff hopes alive.
For Niverville, the Debrito/Kennett/Bottem line continues to be the driving force of the Nighthawks offence. Keeping them to the outside will be key for the Pistons blue liners who go into Thursday’s game with a hope of closing out the series and getting a much needed full week of rest before the start of round 2 next Friday.
A positive for the Pistons is seeing the Chambers/Hoffman/Sauder line find their way back on the scoresheet scoring very timely goals. Chambers scored the opening goal for the Pistons in game 3 while Grady Hoffman potted the tying goal midway through the 3rd. Sauder had helpers on the Chambers goal as well as Mullen’s powerplay overtime winner.
As mentioned earlier, this was the Pistons first and only powerplay goal of the series thus far. The Nighthawks have also been limited to one powerplay goal. Specialty teams have not been a huge factor of this series to date. That being said, the message in the Pistons room will likely be something to the effect of sticking to their game and not taking unnecessary penalties therefore giving the Nighthawks any extra powerplay opportunities.
Cole Plowman has been steady and consistent between the pipes for Steinbach and is projected to get the not for game 4. The remainder of the lineup is also projected to remain the same at press time.
SPECIALTY TEAMS – 2024 Turnbull Cup Playoffs
PISTONS: PP – 1/11 PK – 5/6
NIGHTHAWKS: PP – 1/6 PK – 10/11
PLAYERS TO WATCH
PISTONS: Jackson Kostiuk
With 9 points in 7 games in March to close out the regular season, the rookie forward is turning heads with his speed, agility and hockey IQ. Kostiuk’s line with Brayden Berg and Brett Kaiser has been stellar in the post season as well. They put up a combined 4 points in game 2 on Sunday.
NIGHTHAWKS: Raiden Legall
The rookie goaltender has been the gate keeper for the Nighthawks and he will be looking to stand tall and put on a show for his home fans on Thursday in order to force a game 5.
Puck drop at the Niverville CRRC is 7:30pm. Catch the game on Flo Hockey or listen to voice of the Pistons Dave Anthony over at DAbroadcasting.mixlr.com.
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