The Steinbach Pistons lost to the Winnipeg Freeze 5-4 Friday evening in Winnipeg. Hard fought play by the Freeze helped propel them over the Pistons.
The Pistons got to work quickly as Ty Paisley scored just under a minute and a half into the game on a nice rap around. Cooper Rice added to the lead making it 2-0 less than minute later with the assist coming from Ethan Clements.
The Pistons dominated the first period with constant pressure in the offensive zone and making it nearly impossible for the Freeze to breakout and get scoring chances. Ty Paisley would score his second goal of the game at the 11:02 mark with the assists coming from Langley Kruggel and Davis Fry.
Now at this point the game looked to be in complete control by the Pistons. They went into the period break winning 3-0 and outshot the Freeze 21-5.
The Freeze, however, did not give up. Freeze leading scorer Nathan Driver scored just under 2 minutes into the second period and gave the Freeze a little spark and get the ball rolling.
Ryder Ringor would score with just over 3 minutes left in the second period to bring the Freeze within 1 and make things interesting. The Freeze continued with this momentum as Driver scored with just under 2 minutes left in the period to get his second goal and tie the game at 3.
The momentum shifted in the second period as the Freeze got some life and outshot the Pistons 15-10.
Ty Paisley completed the hat trick and restored the one goal lead at the 4:51 mark of the third period off an assist from defencemen Blake Norris.
The game had been relatively penalty free for most of the game until the third period.
Simon Harkness got a delay of game penalty as he knocked the net off right before the Freeze scored resulting in the goal being waved off.
It was all for not as Dean Gorchynski would score moments later for the Freeze on the powerplay and tie the game up at 4.
Frustration started to settle in for the Pistons as they took some undisciplined penalties and found themselves having to kill off a 5 on 3 with 8 minutes left in the period. Luckily the Freeze would spoil the opportunity and take a penalty of their own to make it a 5 on 4 powerplay.
With under 5 minutes left in the game Pistons forward Neo Kiemeney was assessed a 5-minute major and game misconduct for interference putting the Pistons on the penalty kill for the remainder of regulation.
The Freeze would capitalize on this golden opportunity as Dean Gorchynski would score the game winner on the powerplay with just over a minute left in the game to secure the 5-4 win.
The Steinbach Pistons are back at it tomorrow night versus the Winnipeg Freeze in Steinbach. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm.