Matt Lenz made 19 saves for his first career MJHL shutout as the Steinbach Pistons beat the OCN Blizzard 7-0 Sunday night at the TG Smith Centre.
It was a special weekend for the organization, as the team handed out their championship rings to current players who were on last year’s team. Tonight, board members, team employees, and alumni Darby Gula, Mark Taraschuk, and captain Braden Purtill were on hand to pick up their jewelry, while former assistant coach Joey Moggach was in the building to receive his ring.
Just like last night, the Pistons and Blizzard went scoreless in the first frame. However it was a much different feel, as Steinbach put 16 shots on OCN goalie Noah Giesbrecht. But OCN had the quality chances in the frame (seven shots on goal), forcing Lenz to make tough save after tough save.
Giesbrecht ended up leaving the game due to injury early in the second period, and backup Wesley Ellingsen relieved him in the OCN crease. The Pistons went to work, firing 27 shots on goal in the second period alone. First after a four minute penalty expired, Curtis Ireland found Brendan Martin all alone in front and Martin tapped it through the five-hole to give Steinbach the lead. Tristan Culleton picked up the bonus apple on Martin’s first of the night 7:42 into the second period.
Easton Bennett picked off a OCN pass short-handed, walked in and fired a wrister past the glove of Ellingsen to make it 2-0 Pistons with 6:28 left in period 2. Then the lethal combination of Martin and Tatro combined as Liam Anderson hit Martin with a breakout pass, and he found Tatro driving to the net, and the Bemidji native tipped it in for a 3-0 lead.
The third was no different, as Boedey Vaeth found Martin on a tap-in goal short-handed 1:26 into the final frame. Martin now leads the Pistons with 10 goals on the season, while Vaeth continued to produce on the top line. Two and a half minutes later, Vaeth stripped a defender and scored his 6th of the season for a 5-0 lead.
Max Neill capitalized on another OCN turnover, and snapped one short-side for his 2nd of the season, and a 6-0 lead. And Tanner Mole concluded the scoring for Steinbach as he banged home a rebound in front for his 6th on the campaign at the 11:51 mark. Liam Anderson and Jack Kilroy had the assists on Mole’s goal.
NEAR RECORD
The Pistons poured 61 shots on goal in tonight’s win; The franchise record is 67 shots on goal.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pistons were 0 for 6 on the PP, and killed off all four Blizzard man advantages.
UP NEXT: The Pistons will face off against the Portage Terriers for two games next week. The first is on Wednesday at the TG Smith Centre, with the puck drop scheduled for 7:30 pm. Get your tickets online at Steinbachpistons.ca.