The Steinbach Pistons faceoff against the Virden Oil Capitals for game 6 of the second round of the playoffs with a chance to clinch the series.
The Steinbach Pistons are coming off a big game 5 win seeing them beat the Oil Capitals 8-2. Saturday night’s victory was a full team effort seeing players from all four lines getting points and contributing. Simon Harkness has been between the pipes for the last 3-games with 2 wins and 1 loss. Steinbach’s top line has been dominant seeing Power and Birnie in first and second for playoff scoring and Pepper right behind them in fourth. Steinbach will be looking to build off their last win and close out the series tonight in Virden.
Virden has played a great series so far, with every game being one or two goal games minus Saturday night. Braden Fischer has led the way, scoring in every game except one. Secondary scoring has started to pick up as Nathan Driver and Dylan Halliday have been starting to find their way onto the score sheet. Bailey Monteith has led the way for Virden between the pipes, with last game being the only exception when he got pulled to start the third period. Virden will be looking for a big win tonight in front of a packed barn, trying to force a game 7.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PISTONS: PP 9/32 – 28.1% PK 30/37 – 81.1%
OIL CAPITALS: PP 7/36 – 19.4% PK 25/35 – 71.4%
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pistons: Ty Paisley
Ty Paisley has been playing some great hockey as of late, coming off a 2-goal game Saturday night. Paisley has great offensive touch, as he is a top 6 forward and is on the first powerplay unit. With great offensive awareness and an amazing shot, Ty Paisley is always a threat in the offensive zone. With a bigger frame, standing at 6’2, Paisley uses his body to his advantage to break up plays and break outs and to create scoring chances.
Oil Capitals: Nathan Driver
Nathan Driver has 7 points (5 goals and 2 assists) in 9 games in the playoffs, having goals in back-to-back games. Driver is instrumental in the Oil Capitals offence, with him and Fischer being a dynamic duo threat. Driver has a knack for putting the puck in the net, whether it be from tapping rebounds in or using his great shot.