GAME PREVIEW
Welcome to tonight’s game between the Winnipeg Freeze (0-2-0) and your Steinbach Pistons (2-0-0)!
The Pistons are coming off of an opening weekend sweep of the Freeze last Friday and Saturday, blanking them 2-0 on Friday and a convincing 8-0 victory at the 2020 Home Opener. Simon Harkness saved the day for Steinbach with a 25 save shutout in the first game, with rookie forward Neo Kiemeney and Matt Osadick supplying the Piston markers.
Steinbach’s offense exploded in the second game of the back-to-back, recording seven goals on 45 shots through two periods en route to their eight-goal performance. Ty Naaykens recorded a five-point night (two goals, three assists) while Osadick and Dominic Murano each had a goal and two assists. Quinton Pepper and Caden Triggs each scored their first MJHL goals, while Thomas Couture posted another shutout in his first Pistons start with 21 saves.
It was a good night for the Freeze in their first ever game as a franchise on Friday, as they kept up with Steinbach all night long before Osadick’s late power play goal gave the Pistons some breathing room.
Will Gurski had a solid night in goal for Winnipeg in game one, but backups Presley Lester and Ciaran McVicker were no match for the Pistons’ onslaught on Saturday. They’ll look to score the franchise’s first ever goal this weekend and build some positive momentum heading into the rest of their season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Pistons PP 4/10 (40%), PK 11/11 (100%)
Freeze PP 0/11 (0%), PK 6/10 (60%)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pistons: Joey Dosan
Dosan will likely make his season debut tonight after recently coming out of his 14-day quarantine from crossing the border just before the start of exhibition play. The 19-year-old, second-year Piston from Bloomington figures to be a regular in the lineup during the 2020-21 season for Steinbach, after only getting into just 32 games a season ago. Dosan’s size and vision could make for a great asset offensively, so watch for him to make an impact tonight.
Freeze: Tayem Gislason
The 17-year-old d-man playing for his hometown Freeze was formerly a Pistons prospect, but was dealt away as part of that big offseason trade back in 2019 that brought in Ty Naaykens and Codey Behun to Steinbach. Gislason showed this weekend his dynamic abilities, not being afraid to jump into the play and create quality scoring chances. Look for him to do more of the same during tonight’s game.