Lincoln Molind gave himself and the Steinbach Pistons plenty of confidence heading into the regular season after recording a 22-save shutout and being named the game’s First Star, as Steinbach picked up its first win of the preseason with a hard-fought 3-0 victory over the Niverville Nighthawks tonight.
After a rough night against the Nighthawks on Friday, Steinbach started on time, outshooting Niverville 15-5 in the first period and scoring the game’s opening goal.
Paxton White slid a pass to Griffin Krone entering the slot, and he beat Nighthawks goaltender Chase Charrier over the shoulder to make it 1-0 for the home side at 3:08.
Cole Cairns, who also found the back of the net against Niverville on Friday, extended his club’s lead to two 15:58 into the second frame. The puck sat in the crease right after Steinbach’s power play expired, and the 20-year-old forward buried it.
Athens, Ontario product Lyndon Lamb stretched the lead to 3-0 early in the third. He found himself on a shorthanded breakaway and beat the Nighthawks netminder just 54 seconds into the final 20 minutes.
Things will now get real going forward, but despite it being exhibition, snapping a losing streak and picking up the first win of the preseason will be a huge motivational boost heading into Winkler for next Friday’s season opener.
Molind is more than ready to get the regular season going.
“It’s been really exciting so far. I’m super pumped, the fans are great, town’s great,” said Molind, speaking with Dave Anthony postgame. “I’m just excited to get started.”
Game No. 1 of the regular season is set for Friday, September 18 at Winkler Centennial Arena, with puck drop at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Article written by Evan Waldner
