The Steinbach Pistons beat the Selkirk Steelers in game 1 of the series by a score of 5-2 Friday evening in Steinbach.
The Steinbach Pistons opened the scoring at the 7:22 mark of the first period. Travis Hensrud on the forecheck stole the puck in the slot and made a beautiful pass to Owen Weihs on the doorstep who made no mistake in getting it past Steelers’ goaltender Hunter Tarves.
Steinbach made it 2-0 just under a minute later. Zach Power led the rush into the Steelers zone and with patience found Braden Birnie streaking in who got it past Tarves on the glove side.
The Pistons made it 3-0 just past the 12-minute mark of the first period as Jackson Betcher made a great net drive and dished it off to Jack Rogers on a cross crease pass and putting it in the net.
The Pistons were up 3-0 after the first period of play and outshooting the Steelers 10-8.
Zach Power extended the Pistons lead to 4-0 as Braden Birnie flipped the puck to him from behind the net with Power then putting the puck cross bar and in.
Mathieu Catellier got the Steelers on the board at the 14:44 mark of the second period making it 4-1. Catellier got around Pistons’ defenceman Langley Kruggel and made a nice forehand to backhand move getting it over the glove of Will Hambley.
The second period started to see some chippy hockey as post whistle scrums started to become more common, seeing both teams getting some roughing penalties. There was more space out on the ice, but the goalies played well and turned away some scoring chances.
The Pistons were up 4-1 after the second period of play and outshot the Steelers 23-22.
The Steelers brought the game to within 2 as Tyson Smith scored at the 9:03 mark of the third period, making it 4-2.
Steinbach locked it down the rest of the game and solidified the victory with an empty netter with 35-seconds left in the game, making it 5-2.
The Pistons get back at it Sunday evening as they head to Selkirk to face off against the Steelers for game 2.