Courtesy of Steinbachonline.com
In a game that took 86:19 seconds for someone to win game three between the Steinbach Pistons and Swan Valley Stampeders but when the final goal was scored, it was Denis Bosc of the Pistons with his hands held high in victory.
Steinbach wanted to get started quickly, knowing that the Stampeders would be chomping at the bit to get going early and just 1:02 into the game, Dan Taillefer would score on a perfect pass from Cole Smith to make it 1-0. Denis Bosc would get the secondary assist. The first point in a whale of a game for Bosc. Just a minute later, Swan tied it on the power play but Steinbach pushed right back and getting two goals from Dan Taillefer and Matt Gomercic. Tyler Penner, Smith and Jordan Bochinski recorded the assists.
The Pistons looked to be in cruise control after Connor Martin wristed home an absolute beauty past the Swan netminder and the lead swelled to 4-1. Bochinski picked up his second assist while Robert Briem also found the score sheet with an assist. Swan would score before the period was done and cut the lead in half.
The Stampeders showed no quit and managed to tie the game midway through the third period. A couple of nice passing plays in front left starter Roman Bengert hung out to dry. The Pistons would clamp down defensively and only allowed a combined 15 shots through the third period and both overtime periods.
It looked like the Pistons won the game midway through the second overtime when Bradley Schoonbaert ripped home a wrist shot that made its way through the Stampeders goalie. However, the referee had blown the play dead and therefor, the goal did not stand. After a big faceoff win in the offensive zone, Ryan Carlson rifled a slap shot from the point that was perfectly tipped in by Denis Bosc, giving Steinbach a 5-4 win and a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The Pistons found the back of the net on the power play going 1-6 while the penalty kill got better as the game went on finishing 4-for-6. Roman Bengert got the start and finished with 24 saves on the night. The Pistons finished with 63 shots on Stampeders goalie Zach De Graves.
It was a total team effort in the win tonight with every player making a meaningful contribution to the win. The defencemen played fantastic as their minutes sky-rocketed as the war of attrition went on and all four lines made life difficult for the Swan Valley defenders.
Game 4 is set for Thursday night as both tired teams will meet at centre ice again in Swan River. Pre-game show is at 7:15PM and with puck drop at 7:30pm on SteinbachOnline.com and AM 1250 radio.