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Zhenya Miles had one assist in the Pistons loss to Niverville (Photo Credit: Adeline Loewen)

Pistons Clipped by Nighthawks

Story courtesy of Steinbachonline.com

The Steinbach Pistons outshot the Niverville Nighthawks 48-32, but the Nighthawks took home the 3-2 win on Saturday night.

It was the second time the two teams locked horns in the span of 3 days and it didn’t take long for things to start to ramp up. Lots of conversations between the players on the ice and some pushing matches after whistles.

Austin Dubinsky got the start for Niverville and the 19-year-old was tested early and often in the first half of the opening period. He managed to make three or four 10-bell saves, keeping his team in the game.

Brayden Barnett managed to solve Dubinsky when the 20-year-old wheeled around the offensive zone and wired home his 6th of the season. Cole Carins and Luc DeGagne notched the helpers.

Just a few minutes later, Adam Vigfusson managed to chip a puck up and over the Pistons goalie for his 23rd goal of the season, knotting the game up at 1-1. Matteo Speranza was given the lone assist.

In the second, a point shot from Spencer Penner hit off Brayden Berg who was parked in front of the goal and the “man of steel” celebrated his 13th of the season. Along with Penner, Zhenya Miles also picked a helper on the 2-1 marker.

Once again, the Nighthawks battled back. Speranza won a loose puck battle in the corner, bullied his way to the front of the net and put a backhander in for his 11th of the season. Vigfusson and Avery Laliberte had the assists.

Before the period was over, Vigfusson would give his team the lead for the first time in the game. After a scramble around the Pistons crease, Vigfusson stuck with the play and stuffed home his second of the night and 24th of the year.

In the third, the Pistons fired everything toward the Nighthawks goal but Dubinsky managed to put up the wall and keep his team up by a goal until time expired.

Steinbach’s power play was 0-1 while the penalty kill was 1-1.

River Leslie-Toogood got his first start for Steinbach and was saddled with the loss after making 29 saves.

Steinbach will be off until Wednesday when they welcome in Portage.

Niverville is right back at it on Sunday, playing host to the Virden Oil Capitals.