Content Provided By: Steinbach Online
The Niverville Nighthawks went into Friday nights game against the Steinbach Pistons with a game plan. They wanted to play hard, play fast, manage the puck and take Steinbach out of what makes them dangerous. They did that and more, helping earn a massive 2-1 win, stopping the Pistons win streak at 10.
Opening the game, it looked as though it would be business as usual for the Pistons. They chipped a puck deep and forced the Nighthawks into four turnovers before they finally got a whistle to stop the constant forechecking pressure.
Niverville adjusted and pushed back. Hard.
Time and time again, the Nighthawks pushed the pace, rushed all over the ice and moved the puck quickly, which kept the Pistons from getting any kind of time or space to build anything to carry over shift to shift.
Steinbach did not do themselves any favors as they cut a pretty consistent path to the penalty box. One of those times gave the Nighthawks the chance to take the lead, which they did not let slip through their fingers.
Adam Vigfusson continued his torrid pace of late, cashing in on a power play for his 15th goal of the year, putting the home side up 1-0. Matteo Speranza and Merik Boles picked up the helpers.
Reece Gault answered back for Steinbach after Sam Noad won a clean face off in the offensive zone, Gault sauntered in, went to the backhand and snuck a sneaky shot past the Niverville goalie and in for his 3rd of the season.
Despite the Nighthawks controlling much of the opening 20 minutes, the teams went into the break deadlocked 1-1.
In the second, more penalties by Steinbach, due in large part to just how quick the Nighthawks were moving, forcing Steinbach to take infractions, would restore the Nighthawks lead.
Once again it was the power play that proved to be the difference and again, Vigfusson factored in as he took a pass on the half wall, walked in and hit Boles back door for a picture perfect tap in, restoring the lead at 2-1.
It would have been increased if not for the spectacular play of Christian Green.
The 20-year-old goalie made a spectacular save, stretching his body across the crease, turning away a glorious chance by Niverville and keeping his team in the game just down a goal.
After 40 minutes, the second power play goal stayed the difference, 2-1 Nighthawks.
In the third, Niverville continued to work hard, work the clock and grind the game down.
Near the halfway point, the Pistons put the lines in the blender and tried to catch lightning in a bottle. It worked for burst as Steinbach finally found their skating legs and actually started to generate some chances.
With the push coming, the Nighthawks clamped down and paired with some timely saves, locked the game down and came away with a very impressive 2-1 win.
Christian Green was saddled with the loss despite being the best Piston throughout the game, he finished with 30 saves.
Austin Dubinsky made 31 saves for the Nighthawks, giving him two wins in a row.
Steinbach’s power play was 0-3 while the penalty kill was cut for a pair, finishing 5-7.
No rest for Steinbach as they get right back at it on Saturday night when they visit the Winker Flyers.