Content Provided by: Steinbach Online
It wasn’t the prettiest of games but thanks go some stellar, timely goaltending and the MJHL’s leading scorer finding the back of the net in overtime, the Steinbach Pistons pulled out a 3-2 win over Selkirk.
Coming off one of the most complete games of the year, the Pistons looked to bring that sort of effort and detailed work to a building that’s always seemed to give them problems.
Early on, it was clear it was going to be a fight not just against the Steelers but also against the puck in general.
In the first, the best chance for Steinbach came when Matt Munro wired a shot from the point that hit the bottom of the crossbar, spiked down and bounced out, keeping the game scoreless.
Through the first, Steinbach had issues controlling the puck due to the pressure from the Steelers defenders but also some questionable passing decisions topped off by shots either being blocked or missing the net.
Several odd man rushes for the Pistons resulted in nothing and the teams went into the first intermission scoreless.
Before the three minute mark of the second, the Steelers managed to get on the board, scoring to take a 1-0 lead.
Again, through most of the second period, the Pistons struggled to get anything going offensively.
Goaltender Christian Green was called upon to keep his team in the game and the 20-year-old stood tall, turning away some excellent chances by Selkirk to keep his team down by just a goal.
With under two minutes to go in the second, Luke Bogart broke up a Steelers attempted rush into the zone and the 18-year-old filtered a pass up to a streaking Ryan McDonald who broke in all alone, making no mistake as he snapped home his 9th of the year to tie the game 1-1.
In the third, Selkirk worked the offensive zone on a power play. After a Steelers chance missed the net, the puck was worked back up toward the blueline.
Jamie Fuchs pressured the Steelers and forced the turnover. Instead of dumping the puck, he and Grady Hoffman tore off on a 2 on 1 shorthanded. The 20-year-old Fuchs drove the net and cashed in his 18th of the season, putting Steinbach up 2-1.
With Steinbach still buzzing about the shorthanded goal, the Steelers responded and scored to tie the game twenty seconds later, making it even at 2-2.
Both teams went through the motions for the remainder of the third and the game went into overtime.
It’s the third consecutive game the Pistons needed extra time to decide the outcome.
After the Steelers got possession of the puck in overtime, they held onto it, waiting to strike.
Steinbach got caught flat footed standing up at the red line and a Steeler broke through and went in all alone against Green, who made a fantastic save, keeping the game knotted 2-2.
After the sensational save by Green, the play continued and Steinbach worked the puck up the ice. After working around the zone, Hoffman found Paronuzzi who delayed near the blueline and while he was looking at the bench like he was going to change, he fired a no-look shot on goal that fooled the Steelers goalie, securing Steinbach the bonus point with a 3-2 win.
For Paronuzzi, it was his 9th consecutive game with a point and his 21st goal of the season, keeping him atop the MJHL scoring race. Hoffman and Munro grabbed the assist on the winner.
Green picked up the win making 34 saves with some of his best work coming in that second period and the breakaway in overtime.
Steinbach’s power play was 0-3 while the penalty kill was 2-3 with a shorthanded goal.
A busy weekend ahead for Steinbach. They’re at home on Friday afternoon vs Portage, visit the Winnipeg Blues on Saturday evening then have a return match against the Blues on Monday with puck drop set for 2:30 pm