The Steinbach Pistons got 2019 started with a bang as they blanked the Neepawa Natives 6-0 Wednesday night.
Matt Radomsky made 25 saves to pick up his MJHL leading fourth shutout of the season. Neepawa starter Nik Anderson stopped 30 of 36 shots in the loss.
The Pistons and the Natives started off the game a bit sloppy, which was to be expected as this was the first game after the Christmas break. Steinbach picked up their play in the middle of the first period, as Tyson McConnell centered the puck in the slot for the pinching Doug Johnson. The Darian, Conneticut native rifled home a snap shot past Anderson for a 1-0 lead. Tanner Mole also picked up an assist as Johnson scored his first goal as a Piston at the 11:37 mark of the first.
Two minutes later, McConnell won an offensive zone faceoff back to Troy Williams. Williams’ point shot was blocked and the rebound bounced right to Brendan Westbrook, who put home the loose puck in front for his 8thof the season, and a 2-0 Pistons lead.
Steinbach kept the pressure on in the middle frame, and David Queree scored his third goal of the season on a nice feed from Troy Beauchemin to make it 3-0 Pistons. Trent Halfdanson picked up the bonus apple at the 8:25 mark of the second period.
Forty-five seconds later, Brendan Westbrook raced onto the puck on the left wing, toe-dragged around a Natives defender, faked the shot, and no-look fed McConnell for the tap-in goal and a 4-0 Pistons lead. The captain notched his 16thof the season on the highlight reel goal, which gave him three points on the night and 8 points in his last five games.
In the third, Brady Tatro added to the total as he snapped home his 18thof the season from Johnson and Troy Williams at the 3:01 mark. The assist also gave Johnson three points on the night.\
Kyle Bettens added a nice goal with seventeen seconds left from Tristan Culleton, as the Winnipeg native beat Anderson on a nice forehand deke for his third goal of the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pistons were 0 for 2 on the power play, while Neepawa went 0 for 1.
UP NEXT: Steinbach’s next action will be at the TG Smith Centre on Saturday night at 7:30 pm against the Dauphin Kings.