Content Provided By: Steinbach Online
Steinbach’s Brandon Funk went coast-to-coast in overtime, scoring his 18th of the year in overtime, lifting the Pistons over the Waywayseecappo Wolverines 3-2 at the HyLife Centre in La Broquerie.
In the first period, the Pistons peppered the Wolverine’s goaltender, putting together several strong shifts that gave them a hefty edge in shots.
The Wolverines were able to battle back at times, showing off their speed in transition, forcing goalie Beck Liden into a couple of tough saves, but the 18-year-old was up to the task, keeping it scoreless.
Waywayseecappo managed to open the scoring after cutting into the slot, putting a shot on goal that hit the post but the rebound came right back out and the same player buried to make it 1-0.
Later in the frame, Steinbach worked the puck in the o-zone on a power play and after a point shot from David Cote was stopped, the rebound was stuffed home by Trey Sauder, knotting the game at 1-1.
For Sauder, it was his 16th of the year and 4th since joining the Pistons. Jack Cook picked up the secondary assist in his first game since suffering an injury in November which kept him out until Wednesday night.
Shots after 20 minutes were 22-9 Steinbach but the score was stuck at 1-1.
In the second, the Wolverines stripped a Pistons forward while shorthanded and buried to give the visitors the lead back, 2-1.
Once again, Steinbach battled back. A great, hardworking, dominating shift by Steinbach led to Noah Szabo keeping a puck in at the blue line, dancing around a would-be checker, walking in, and firing home his 9th of the campaign. Connor Paronuzzi and Brayden Berg were given the assists but all 5 players for Steinbach touched the puck at least once, won a battle, or kept play alive which led to the goal.
In the third period, as both teams went back and forth, a scary moment as Brandon Funk was heading into the offensive zone when he was stood up by a hard check that looked to catch him off to the side and put the forward on the limp for a few minutes.
Funk managed to stay in the game, which would be massive for the home team.
After outshooting their opponent 16-5 in the third and despite pouring on the pressure in the final minutes of the period, the horn sounded and overtime would be needed to decide a winner.
A couple of quick whistles kept things from opening up too much early.
With a faceoff outside their blueline, Steinbach managed to win it back to David Cote who spun back into the d-zone, flipping a pass over to Funk.
Funk did the rest.
The 18-year-old speeder turned on the jets, burned around the Wolverine checker, cut toward the net, and in a flash, put the puck home bringing the home fans to their feet as he was mobbed by teammates celebrating a 3-2 win.
With the victory, Steinbach’s MJHL leading record improved to 29-4-3.
Liden finished the night making 26 saves for his 9th win in a row and 10th win of the year.
The power play clicked a single time out of 5 chances while the penalty kill kept one of the MJHL’s top power plays under wraps, going 4-4.
Steinbach is off Thursday, they’ll travel to Portage to take on the new-look Terriers on Friday night. The next home game is Sunday afternoon against the Neepawa Titans. The puck drop is set for 2:30 pm at the HyLife Centre.