Tanner Mole tied the game with 35 seconds left in regulation, but Stampeders forward Josh Maucieri scored the extra time winner as Swan Valley defeated the Steinbach Pistons 3-2 in overtime for a second straight night.
The Pistons picked up another valuable point to finish their three-game weekend trip with 4 of a possible 6 points. Mikael Foucher got the win in goal with 32 saves on the night, while Matt Lenz kept his team in it all night as he made 31 saves.
Playing their third game in three days, Steinbach didn’t show any signs of fatigue throughout the game and played a solid first period. Swan Valley would take the lead 3:29 into the game on a point shot by Brendan Saether that found its way to the back of the net.
Dylan Cassie would tie the game just 51 seconds later on a net mouth scramble, as the defenceman jumped in from his right point spot and jammed in a rebound past Foucher. Ryan Butler and Zach Purcell had the assist on Cassie’s 5th on the campaign, and the goal also gave Cassie a career-high tying 30 points for a season.
Callum Fortin would give the Stampeders the lead 1:52 into the second period on a wrist shot that beat Lenz glove-side. From that point on, Steinbach would control the play in the middle frame as they fired 15 shots on goal towards Foucher. The Quebec goalie would be up to the task, turning away every single shot and keeping the Stampeders up by one after 40 minutes.
Swan Valley would do a great job at limiting all Pistons opportunities to the perimeter, and slowly bleeding out the clock. But Tommy Cardinal would take an interference penalty with under three to go, giving the Pistons an opportunity with a man up for the rest of regulation.
The Stampeders would kill off the power play, but the Pistons would get two glorious chances to tie shortly after. Bryce Young threw a wrist shot from the slot hit the post with 50 seconds left, however Steinbach would cash in on their second chance. Zach Purcell threw a shot on goal that was deflected by Mole in front to tie the game with 35 seconds remaining, with Carter Loney getting the extra assist on Mole’s 14th goal of the season.
With the single point in hand Steinbach would try to win the game in overtime, but a brilliant individual effort by Josh Maucieri gave Swan Valley the extra point in a 3-2 win.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Portage Terriers defeated the Selkirk Steelers 5-1 on Sunday night and the Pistons now are four points ahead of the Terriers for first place. With the single point on Sunday, Steinbach controls their own destiny and now just need a win to clinch the #1 seed in the MJHL playoffs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pistons went 0 for 4 on the power play and killed off both man advantages they faced.
UP NEXT: Steinbach will have the opportunity to clinch first place on home ice as they welcome the OCN Blizzard for the final regular season home game this season on Wednesday night. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm, reserve your seats online at Steinbachpistons.ca.