The Steinbach Pistons shutout the Dauphin Kings 2-0 Friday evening in Steinbach to take a strangle hold on the series going up 3-2.
Steinbach started off the game going down a man as Nate Goodbrandson took a hooking penalty 16 seconds into the game. The Pistons penalty kill however, got to work and killed it off and keeping the game tied.
Jack Rogers got the Pistons on the board at the 8:38 mark of the first period as Cooper Rice dumped the puck into the zone. The puck bounced off the boards and went through Carson Cherepak’s legs to Rogers right in front who put it past Cherepak and in the net.
Steinbach went into the first intermission up 1-0 with the shot totals 17-10 in favour of the Pistons.
The second period saw both goalies play amazing, turning away great scoring chances and standing tall in net.
Dauphin had a good penalty kill, killing off Parker Malchuk’s hooking penalty and keeping the game within one goal.
Steinbach got themselves into a bit of trouble in the third period as they took a trio of penalties all within the first 10-minutes of the period. The penalty kill continued to stay strong and was able to kill off all of the penalties.
Dauphin pulled their goalie with just under two minutes to go in the third to get an extra attacker. The Pistons almost scored as Braden Birnie hustled to beat out an icing and centred the puck, but it hit off a Dauphin player and trickled wide.
Dauphin tried to clear the puck, but Birnie picked up the puck in the neutral zone and got it in the empty net solidifying the 2-0 win. Cherepak and Hambley both played stellar as Cherepak saved 27/28 and Hambley turned away all 34 shots he faced. Both goalies were awarded second and first star for their performances in game 5.
Steinbach now has a 3-2 series lead and will look to close out the finals and bring the Turnbull Trophy back to Steinbach in game 6 this coming Sunday.