The Steinbach Pistons have two games this weekend. The Pistons head to Selkirk on Friday evening to face off against the Steelers and then to Winnipeg Saturday evening to face off against the Freeze.
The Steinbach Pistons are first in the MJHL with 63 points and a 30-9-2-1 record. The Pistons have a four-point cushion over the second place Dauphin Kings, but the Kings have a game in hand. The Pistons are second in MJHL in team goals with 165 and first in the MJHL for goal differential with +61. The Pistons have the lowest PIMs in the MJHL with 495 which is almost 100 less than the next closest team. The Pistons have gone to extra time 4 times this season, winning and losing twice in OT and losing once in shootout.
The Selkirk Steelers sit in 8th place in the MJHL with 44 points and a 19-18-4-2 record. The Steelers are right in the middle of the pack for MJHL goal scoring with 148 goals for as a team and a -5 goal differential. The Steelers are higher up in MJHL PIMs with 790 which is 4th in the MJHL. In extra time the Steelers have 2 OT wins, 4 OT losses and 2 losses in shootout.
The Winnipeg Freeze sin in last place in the MJHL with 20 points and a 9-30-2-0 record. The Freeze have 116 goals for as a team and a -96 goals differential which is last in both of those categories in the MJHL. The Freeze are a more well-disciplined team with 657 PIMs as a team which is good for 4th lowest in the MJHL.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PISTONS: PP 36/175 – 20.6% PK 148/173 – 85.5%
STEELERS: PP 46/216 – 21.3% PK 168/208 – 80.8%
FREEZE: PP 37/192 – 19.3% PK 121/171 – 70.8%
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pistons: Travis Hensrud
Travis Hensrud had two goals in the Pistons most recent win over the Winnipeg Freeze. Hensrud has great on ice awareness who plays hard right to the end of his shift. Hensrud does whatever is needed to generate scoring chances, whether it be blocking shots, finishing checks, or starting the breakout. A lockdown defensive forward, Hensrud is a big part of the PK and a major reason for its success so far.
Steelers: Matthew Gerke
Matthew Gerke is tied for second in team goals with 16 on the season. Gerke currently has 27 points (16 goals and 11 assists) in 33 games. Currently on a 4-game point streak, Gerke has 4 points (4 goals and 0 assists) over that span. With great offensive awareness, Gerke is a pure goal scorer with amazing finish in the offensive zone.
Freeze: Matthew Yakubowski
Matthew Yakubowski leads the Freeze in defenseman scoring with 21 points (14 goals and 7 assists) in 32 games. Yakubowski is currently riding a 5-game point streak where he has 10 points (8 goals and 2 assists) over that span with the most recent game he got a hattrick. A good offensive defenceman, Yakubowski can lock down the backend and kickstart the breakout. Yakubowski also has a scoring touch, with a great a shot.
UP NEXT: Come out and make some noise as the Pistons are back to 100% capacity for their next home game this coming Monday with puck drop at 2:30pm. Join the Pistons players for our annual family day skate directly following the game.