A wild first period saw the Steinbach Pistons and Swan Valley Stampeders trade multiple power play goals, but neither team could find the back of the net again, until Jack Greenwell scored in overtime, lifting the Pistons to a 4-3 victory.
First period
Steinbach was hoping for a strong start, and the line of Eric Han, William Picklyk, and Marek Miller delivered.
After bursting into the zone, a loose puck found Picklyk, who directed it towards the Stamps’ goal, but his attempt hit a leg, and the puck found the stick of Han, who wired home his third of the year, putting Steinbach up 1-0 early. Evan Kabel, who had a very strong two-way game, picked up the lone assist.
That would be it for five-on-five scoring the rest of the game.
Yay, power play! Boo, penalty kill
The next five goals would all come while one of the teams was on the man advantage.
Swan Valley would capitalize on back-to-back penalties by the Pistons, gifting them a 5-on-3 that produced two goals, putting them ahead 2-1.
Steinbach would answer back on a power play of their own as Evan Gradt drove to the front of the net, and cashed in on his own rebound, celebrating his 10th of the season from Brody Green and Liam Doyle, knotting the game 2-2.
Back on the power play, Swan Valley scored again, making them 3-3 on the night, putting them back on top 3-2.
With under a minute to go in the period, on yet another man advantage, Miller parked in front of the net and took a beautiful, perfect pass from birthday boy Brody Green, and tapped home his 4th of the season. Along with Green, Brett Kaiser picked up an assist.
3-3 would be the score that would hold to the buzzer.
Shots were 20-15, Steinbach. The Pistons were 2-3 on the power play in the period, while the Stamps were a perfect 3-3 on their opportunities.
Second period
Steinbach goalie Easton Thvedt and Swan Valley netminder Easton Falls had had enough of watching players celebrate goals, and decided they’d take over the game.
While Swan Vally was on their toes and pushed the pace in the first period, in the second, it was the Pistons that started to take the game over.
Working hard, putting passes together, and forcing the Stamps back on their heels, Steinbach started to pile up the chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
For long stretches, Steinbach owned the puck and spent considerable time in the offensive zone, but when Swan did manage to get a chance, Thvedt was up to the task, keeping his team deadlocked.
Steinbach had the edge in shots, 13-8, but neither team scored, meaning the 3-3 draw carried into the third.
Third period
Much like the second, it was Steinbach who carried much of the play.
As the period wore on, the Pistons kept pushing for the goal to give them the lead, but were turned away every time.
Thvedt wasn’t overly tested, but the rookie did come up massive on a couple of occasions, keeping his team in the fight.
Two power plays in the later stages had fans at the edge of their seats, but nothing would come of it, meaning the game would require overtime.
Overtime
A glorious chance in the opening minute of the extra frame for Gradt had the building buzzing, but he was turned away on yet another fantastic save by the Swan Valley goalie.
Not long after, it was the Stampeders that had an opportunity to close out the contest, but Thvedt stared down the challenge, using his blocker to make a strong save.
After the stop, the puck ended up in the corner where Zhenya Miles picked it up, and with Jack Greenwell having snuck out into the neutral zone, Miles whipped the puck down the ice, connecting with the 20-year-old, who broke in all alone, and sent the home fans home happy by scoring his 15th of the season. Miles and Thvedt had the helpers on the game-winning goal.
Game stats
Thvedt picked up his 5th win of the year, making 25 saves on the night.
Steinbach’s power play had its chances, and while they finished 2-8, the units moved pucks effectively and had numerous chances to score, but were up against solid goaltending.
The penalty kill was beaten up, going a meagre 1-4.
Steinbach outshot Swan Valley 54-28.
Up next
Steinbach hits the road for the next three games, starting Saturday night in Winnipeg when they visit the Monarchs. Game time is 6:00 p.m. They follow that up with a contest in Waywayseecappo on Thursday, then Dauphin on Friday.
