Article Courtesy of TheCarillon.com – Photo taken by ActionPlus Photography
The Steinbach Pistons just keep pouring it on.
Scoring a decisive 6-1 victory over the Winkler Flyers Wednesday night in Winkler, the Pistons ran their MJHL-leading record to a perfect 8-0.
It was the Roman Bengert show for the Pistons as the veteran puckstopper was simply scintillating as he made 44 saves in net. Winkler outshot Steinbach 45-36.
Mackenzie Graham led the way for the Pistons with two goals and an assist, while league-scoring leader Landon Plett had two points, including a shorthanded goal in the third. Also with a goal and an assist were Bradley Schoonbaert and Julien Koga.
The hometown Flyers literally came out flying in the first period as they dominated in shots, outshooting the Pistons 24-11, but Roman Bengert was equal to the task as he stopped all 24 drives. To add insult to injury for the Flyers in that opening 20 minutes, it was the Pistons who scored the only goal as Julien Koga connected on the powerplay midway through the period.
Steinbach took a 3-0 lead into the third period on goals by Vaughn Dupre and Mackenzie Graham.
Plett leads the MJHL in scoring with eight goals and 16 points in eight games.
Portage, now 7-1, stayed close to the Pistons with a 5-2 victory over the OCN Blizzard last night. One other game Wednesday night saw Dauphin outscore Swan Valley 6-1.
Of course, the Pistons, for the second week in a row, are the number one ranked team in Canada in the Canadian Junior Hockey League. On that subject, a cautious head coach and GM Paul Dyck said, “it is still early, but it is a nice little reward to see our name up there, it won’t necessarily help us to win our next hockey game, but we are certainly pleased to be where we are, it’s a positive thing for our hockey club.”
Dyck added, “we lost our top six forwards from last season, so to start our season like this is a credit to our players and to our organization, we are proud to be considered number one.”
The Pistons hit the road this weekend on another overnighter as they stop in Swan River on Friday to take on the Swan Valley Stampeders at 7:30 p.m. and then are at Dauphin on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. clash with the Kings.