The Steinbach Pistons head to Portage this week for the MJHl showcase where they will be facing off against the Dauphin Kings on Tuesday and the Waywayseecapo Wolverines on Wednesday. The MJHL showcase is a 2-day event where the best teams in the Eastern division play against the best teams in the Western division for the first time of the season.
The Pistons are coming off a hard fought and tough 4 games versus the Winnipeg Blues. The battle of the top two teams in the east saw the Pistons lose the first two games 5-2 and 4-3 in OT, then win the third game 4-3 in shootout and drop the last game 7-4. The majority of the games were back and forth hockey but in the two regulation losses the Blues took over in the third period to secure the wins. Simon Harkness was in net for the Pistons in all 4 games. Harkness looked good in net turning away many shots and great scoring chances.
The Dauphin Kings have looked great this year so far as they are currently in first place in the MJHL with 32 points. With a 16-4 record Colby Jaquet has led the offence this season with 27 points (5 goals and 22 assists) and their goaltender Carson Cherepak has looked solid boasting a 0.935 save % and a 1.99 GAA.
The Waywayseecapo Wolverines are also a strong team in the West sitting second in the division and fourth in the MJHL with 30 points. With a record of 14-4-2 Lonan Bulger is leading the team offensively with 24 points (5 goals and 19 assists) and their goaltender Liam Tereposky has a 0.884 save % and a 3.56 GAA.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PISTONS: PP 17/85 – 20% PK 73/83 – 88%
KINGS: PP 22/79 – 27.8% PK 80/90 – 88.9%
WOLVERINES: 28/110 – 25.5% PK 73/97 – 75.3%
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pistons: Travis Hensrud
Travis Hensrud missed some time due to injury but in his first game back made an immediate impact. In his first two games back, Travis Hensrud got 3 points (3 assists) with 2 of them coming in the first game. Hensrud was all over the ice, whether it be on the back check, forecheck, or joining the rush. Putting in maximum effort, Travis Hensrud impacted the game and helped lift the Pistons to a win eventually getting the shootout winner.
Kings: Carson Cherepak
Dauphin Kings goaltender Carson Cherepak has been amazing this season so far. Second in the MJHL in GAA and third in save %, Cherepak has been a brick wall for the Kings and a big part in their success so far this season. Cherepak makes the necessary saves when it is needed and is calm and collected in net.
Wolverines: Lonan Bulger
Leading the Wolverines in scoring this year with 24 points Lonan Bulger is a big part in the Wolverines success this season. With 5 goals and 19 assists, Bulger is a great playmaker, setting up players with great scoring chances and getting the offence going.
The Pistons would like to thank their partner Compass Coach Lines for safely and comfortably transporting the team to and from Portage this week for the MJHL showcase.