Article Courtesy of Kenton Dyck of Steinbachonline.com – Picture courtesy of Adeline Loewen
The Steinbach Pistons scored three power play goals and were able to hold on to defeat the Portage Terriers 5-4 at the TG Smith Centre on Friday night, giving them a 1-0 series lead in round 2.
Portage got on the board first after a shot from the point found it’s way through but the Pistons responded as Wyatt Hinson tapped home a picture perfect pass from Mack Graham to tie the game 1-1. For Hinson, it’s his second goal of the playoffs. Tyson McConnell picked up the second assist on the goal.
The period ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the second period, the Pistons came out gangbusters. Braden Purtill scored his 4th of the playoffs off a beautiful feed from Bradley Schoonbaert to make it 2-1 Steinbach. Tyler Anderson collected the extra assist on the goal, then was rewarded with his own marker on the power play that pushed the lead to 3-1 with Schoonbaert collecting another helper along with Ryan Carlson. With yet another man advantage, Schoonbaert capped off a three-point period by scoring his 4th of the post-season to make it 4-1 Steinbach. Will Koop and Tyler Anderson were credited with the assists.
Portage cut the lead to 4-2 on their own power play before the horn sounded to end the middle frame.
In the third, the Terriers brought it to within a goal before another ill-timed penalty cost the Terriers. A mishandled puck down low found the stick of Graham who rushed it to the front of the net and found the blade of a wide open Will Koop who tapped it in to make it 5-3 Pistons.
The Terriers clawed their way back to within a goal but that was as close as they would get as the Pistons claim a 5-4 win at home and hold a 1-0 series lead heading back to Portage for game 2 on Sunday afternoon.
Pre-game show is set for 4:15 pm while the puck drops at 4:30 pm on Mix 96 and SteinbachOnline.com.