The Steinbach Pistons beat the Winkler Flyers by a score of 4-2 on New Year’s Eve at the TG Smith Centre.
The first period saw some back-and-forth play, but neither team could sustain pressure and generate a lot scoring, keeping the game tied 0-0 after the first period.
The Flyers got on the board quickly to start the second period, scoring 39-seconds into the period. Mike Svenson entered the offensive zone with Trent Sambrook and Zach Nicolas, with Svenson finding Nicolas on a cross crease pass who tapped it past Dominik Wasik.
The Pistons evened the score at the 5:57 mark of the second period to make it 1-1. Nick Mikan stole the puck in the neutral zone, quickly entering the offensive zone and putting a puck on net from the high slot. Ian Amsbaugh got the rebound and snuck it in past a sprawled-out Aidan Comeau.
Steinbach took their first lead of the game with Ty Paisley scoring on the powerplay with just over a minute remaining in the second period. Ian Amsbaugh got the puck from the left face-off dot to Ty Paisley at the right faceoff dot who put it glove side through a Kirk Mullen screen.
The Pistons would extend their lead to 3-1 with Ian Amsbaugh scoring the eventual game winner. Nick Mikan stripped the puck off the Winkler Flyers player with a persistent back check, getting the puck to Ian Amsbaugh. Amsbaugh entered the zone and put a puck on net from the right face-off dot, putting it over the shoulder of Comeau and potting his second goal of the game.
Winkler would make it interesting as they pulled their goalie down two goals. With 35-seconds left in the third period Trent Sambrook would find Mike Svenson out front who would make a move around Wasik and bring the game to within 1-goal.
Travis Hensrud would halt the Flyers potential comeback as he sealed the deal, scoring the empty netter with 14 seconds remaining in the game.