It was a highlight night for the Steinbach Pistons as they defeated the Winkler Flyers 5-0 in Steinbach at the T.G. Smith Centre on Friday night. Two shutouts in a row for the Pistons, Pepper completed the hat trick, Goodbrandson had a 5 point night and Head Coach and GM Paul Dyck now is solely in 6th place in MJHL all time wins as a coach – what a night!
The Pistons got into penalty trouble early as Josh Nelson took a hooking penalty and Quinton Pepper got a double minor for high sticking. The team buckled down however, and killed off the full two minute 5 on 3 PK.
The first period finished tied a 0 a piece but saw an even back and forth game with the shot totals 11-9 in favour of the Pistons.
After the Pistons got in penalty trouble in the first the flyers seemed to get their fair share of penalties the rest of the game. Flyers forward Ryan Monias got 5 and a game for an aggressive kneeing penalty on Pistons Eduard Wruck.
Steinbach could not capitalize on the 5-minute PP but the Pistons started to take control of the game. Pistons forward Quinton Pepper got the scoring started tipping the puck off a nice shot by Josh Nelson.
Davis Fry continued with the offence less than 30 seconds later sneaking the puck through the five hole off a sweet feed from Quinton Pepper. Pepper got his second goal of the game at the 18:21 mark closing out the second period with the Pistons up 3-0.
Pepper got to work quickly in the third completing the hat trick at the 4:05 mark off a nice pass from Nate Goodbrandson putting the Pistons up 4-0.
The Flyers got a bit chippy in the third period, taking some undisciplined penalties and letting their emotions get the best of them. The Flyers had 4 straight penalties in a 6-minute span in the third period.
The Pistons capitalized on one of those power plays as Nate Goodbrandson completed his 5-point night (1 goal, 4 assist) off a beautiful cross crease pass from Davis Fry.
Simon Harkness secured the 23 save shutout as the Pistons won 5-0 against the Winkler Flyers. The Pistons get back at it tomorrow night in Winkler with puck drop at 7:30pm.