The Steinbach Pistons beat the Virden Oil Capitals by a score of 4-2 Monday evening, clinching the series and securing their spot against the Dauphin Kings in the MJHL finals.
With Virden’s season on the line going into tonight’s game, the Oil Capitals were playing with complete desperation while the Pistons were hoping to build off their last win and clinch the series.
Jack Rogers got the Pistons on the board tipping a shot from Bryce Kilbourne at the 15:51 mark of the first period, putting Steinbach up 1-0.
Virden battled hard to tie the game up, but the score remained 1-0 going into the first intermission. Steinbach outshot Virden 9-8 in the first period.
Just over halfway through the second period Dawson Milliken put the Pistons up 2-0. With a nice entry into the offensive zone, Dawson Milliken made a nice move to the net, getting around the defender and potting the puck short side on Bailey Monteith.
Virden made sure to not go into the second period break down two as Parker Johnson would get the Oil Capitals on the board as he slid the puck through the five hole of Simon Harkness.
Steinbach was up 2-1 after two periods of play with the shot totals at 21 a piece.
Virden came out firing in the third and tied up the game 4 and a half minutes into the frame. Branden Huminuk got it past Harkness with Trevor Hunt and Nolan Wallace getting the assists.
With 15-minutes left in the period both teams battled hard, trying to get the next goal. Harkness and Monteith stood tall, turning away lots of good scoring chances.
Dawson Milliken however would strike again, scoring the game winning goal at the 9:14 mark of the third period. Dancing around the Virden defender behind the net, Milliken made an aggressive net drive, getting out in front and putting it in the net.
Virden pulled their goalie with just under two minutes left in the period, trying to find the tying goal with an extra attacker. Steinbach would try and dump the puck into the net a couple times with Zach Power getting a good chance but missing the empty net.
With 20 seconds left in the game Power was able to redeem himself, getting the empty net goal and solidifying the 4-2 series clinching win.