FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez2b1fLCkJw
The Steinbach Pistons bested the Niverville Nighthawks by a score of 3-2 Monday afternoon in front of a sold-out TG Smith Centre.
The Nighthawks opened the scoring early in the first period to make it 1-0. Brett Tataryn got the puck to Ben Whitford at the right faceoff dot who then circled around and put it between the arm of Wasik and into the net.
The Pistons would get some good scoring chances and push the play in the offensive zone. Landon Roberts made a move and got in on goal and Nick Mikan and Travis Hensrud made a nice give and go play but the Pistons were not able to find twine in the first period.
The Pistons would get on the board and tie up the game at the 3:59 mark of the second period. Travis Hensrud put a puck on net with Brett Kaiser finding the loose puck in the crease and shovelling it into the net.
Dominik Wasik was locked in for the remainder of the game, making some key point-blank saves and keeping the score tied going into the third period.
Niverville would restore the one goal lead two and a half minutes into the third period. Brendan Bottem got behind the Pistons defence and slid the puck on net with Ty Kennett pouncing on the rebound and putting it into the net to make it 2-1.
Steinbach would answer 26-seconds later to tie the game back up 2-2. From below the net Brett Kaiser got the puck to Kirk Mullen at the side of the net who then shot it off Chris Fines stick and ricocheted it through his arm hole and into the net.
Moments later the Pistons almost took their first lead of the game with Davin Griffin finding Kirk Mullen in the slot for a one timer, but Chris Fines flashed the leather and kept the puck out with a beautiful glove save.
With just over 3-minutes remaining the Pistons would take their first lead of the game. David Cote put a puck on net from the point with Leo Chambers finding the puck in the slot and sliding it past Fines to make it 3-2.
The Pistons would hold on with the Niverville net empty and secure the 3-2 win for a big two points as they try and catch the Portage Terriers for first place in the MJHL.