After having their eight-game winning streak snapped Tuesday in Winkler, the Steinbach Pistons quickly got back to their winning ways Thursday night in Winnipeg as they hammered the Winnipeg Blues 7-2 at the MTS Iceplex.
Steinbach led 1-0 after the first on a Braden Purtill goal late in the opening frame and then Bradley Schoonbaert made it 2-0 Steinbach early in the second. But the Blues quickly tied it with a pair of goals two minutes apart.
But the Pistons promptly responded with five unanswered goals, four of them on the powerplay, to bury the Blues in a 7-2 final. Rounding out the scoring for the Pistons in this chippy affair were Jack Johnson, Wyatt Hinson, Mackenzie Graham – with his MJHL-leading 26th goal of the season, and two goals and an assist from defenceman Joseph Leonidas.
Leonidas, the 20-year-old from Calgary, has had quite an impact since joining the Pistons as he already has 11 points in 13 games, including five goals.
Matt Radomsky picked up the win in net for the Pistons, who outshot the Blues 27-24.
The Pistons continue to lead the Manitoba Junior Hockey League standings with a stellar 34-6-1 record, eight points ahead of the second place Selkirk Steelers. The Pistons also have two games in hand on the Steelers. The Blues fall to 21-17-5 on the season.
Steinbach continues their road trip Saturday in Virden then off to Winkler on Tuesday and Portage on Wednesday to wrap up a gruelling five road games in eight days.