Article Courtesy of Dave Anthony of Steinbachonline.com – Picture Courtesy of Adeline Loewen
The Steinbach Pistons took a few more steps up the mountain on their way back into the series against the Portage Terriers winning game 5 by a final of 3-2.
Both teams came out strong and had a few chances in the opening frame. The Pistons cycled and forced pucks into the crease area while the Terriers used their speed through the neutral zone to find their offence.
The Terriers jumped out in front as they converted on an in tight chance to make it 1-0 for the visitors. That’s how the first period ended.
In the second, the Pistons were given the power play and Danny Pion’s wrister from the point found the back of the net to tie the game 1-1. Wyatt Hinson, who had the screen set up in front, was given the lone assist on Pion’s third of the playoffs.
Portage would regain the lead and head into the final 20 minutes of regulation up by a 2-1 margin.
In the third, another early power play for Steinbach knotted the game up again as a point shot from Mark Taraschuk bounced off the glass in behind the Portage net and kicked off the goalies leg, just making it over the line, making it 2-2 early in the final frame. For Taraschuk, it was his fist of the playoffs. “On the bench, the guys were saying that was the bounce we needed.” Paul Dyck said after the game. “We felt we got better as the game went on and that was a big moment.”
A bigger moment was in store for Steinbach as Braden Purtill snapped home a wrist shot, short side, to give Steinbach their first lead of the hockey game. “That’s a big league shot.” Dyck said in praise of Purtill. “He’s found his goal scoring lately and we’re pretty happy about that. He’s a Swiss army knife, he really can do it all.” Bradley Schoonbaert and Tyler Anderson collected the assists on the goal.
The Pistons battened down the hatches and killed the final seconds, holding on to a 3-2 win.
The power play was 2-4 while the penalty kill was a perfect 3-3, including a big kill with the Terriers on a 5 on 3.
Roman Bengert was terrific again making a couple unbelievable saves finishing the night with 25 stops.
The series is now 3-2 Portage heading into game six back at Stride Place in Portage La Prairie on Tuesday night. Pre-game show at 7:15 pm and puck drop at 7:30 pm on Mix 96 and SteinbachOnline.com.