Pictures Courtesy of Adeline Loewen
The OCN Blizzard came to town on Friday night and quieted the Steinbach crowd with a convincing 3-0 victory. Blizzard captain and future University of Maine defenceman, Brady Keeper led his team through strong defensive play and two assists.
OCN shutout the Pistons as goalie Emiliem Boily earned his 10th win of the season. Facing 37 shots, the Blizzard netminder’s performance was enough to earn him the second star of the game.
OCN opened the scoring through Justin Nachbaur’s fifth of the season in the 1st period. This was followed up by Shane Roulette’s goal at 13:53 in the first to give the Blizzard a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission. Both goals were assisted by Brady Keeper.
Early in the second period, OCN made it 3-0 when Nachbaur cashed in on a Pistons defensive miscue.
As far as scoring chances, the Blizzard were more clinical in converting on their opportunities. The Pistons didn’t convert on any of their three powerplays including a five minute penalty that went against OCN’s Taren Lacquette for knee-to-knee contact with Ryan Carlson.
Despite giving up three goals Steinbach goalie Matt Radomsky played a good game by stopping 29 of the 32 shots he faced. Other top performing Pistons included Mackenzie Graham who was dominate in the face-off circle, and an overall improved defensive corps compared to Wednesday night’s game.
The Pistons showed tenacity by not allowing themselves to be pushed around. Cody Merritt dropped the gloves against OCN’s Victor Knaub right after the third goal was scored. This clearly motivated the team and put extra emotion into the game. In the third, Mackenzie Graham ignited a spark as he attempted to take on an unwilling Anthony Keeper, after receiving a hard hit.
Late on, Carter Chorney took on Brady Keeper, which left OCN without their star player for the last six minutes. The Blizzard’s physical play was relentless, and in the end, that was one of the real differences between the two sides.
Up next for the Pistons are the Winnipeg Blues on Saturday, November 19th at the T.G. Smith Centre. The puck drops at 7:30pm.
Games Three Stars
1st Star: Justin Nachbaur (OCN) 2 G
2nd Star: Emiliem Boily (OCN) 37 SV 37 SA Shutout
3rd Star: Mackenzie Graham (Steinbach) Dominate in the Faceoff Circle, Created Chances.