The Steinbach Pistons capped off their home-in-home series with the Fort Frances Friday evening, downing the Lakers 4-1 at the T.G. Smith Centre.
Despite it only being an exhibition game, Pistons were encouraged seeing their team win their fourth exhibition game. Friday night’s game was well played defensively as the home team allowed a total of 16 shots while sending 50 the other way.
The Lakers netminder Pierce Dushenko stood tall to kick off the game, steering away 14 shots to keep it 0-0 going into the first break. Shots were 14-4 after 20 minutes of play.
The goal horn started blaring at 5:37 of the 2nd when Jordan Bochinski found the back of the net. And then eight minutes later Mackenzie Graham made it 2-0 at 13:38. Luke Amsbaugh, Graham, and Brodie Buhler accumulated assists on the goals.
The Pistons continued to push into the third with Brad Schoonbaert tallying :39 seconds into the frame from Hayden Goderis and James Shearer. Goderis then found finally found the back of the net after hitting the post early in the 1st on a nifty play through the slot to make it 4-0 at 9:42. Schoonbaert and Anderson each picked up a helper on the final Pistons goal.
The shutout came undone in the final minute of play when the Lakers’ Zach Bennett scored from Christian Ripley and Craig Murray with only 57 seconds remaining.
Jeremy Wik started the game in net for Steinbach stopping only 6 shots in the first half of the game. Roman Bengert made 9 saves on 10 shots in the second half.
The Pistons are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Winnipeg to play the blues for their 5th of 7 exhibition games.
Picture Above: Julien Uhryniak