The Steinbach Pistons look to stay in the win column tonight as they make the trip over to the Selkirk Recreational Complex for a 7:30pm matchup with the Steelers.
The Pistons are 2-0 against the Steelers so far in the 2023-24 regular season with a 3-2 win in Selkirk followed by a 3-1 decision on home ice this past Wednesday night.
Steinbach hopes to come out with some jump on Friday night as they have struggled at times to put together a full 60 minute game in the Selkirk Recreational Complex. Although the Pistons have won more games there than not, it hasn’t always been done in the way the coaching staff would like to see. The Steelers don’t shy away from extra curricular activities after whistles and are good at sucking teams in to taking penalties during those scrums. Especially now that this is the third game against the Steelers in two weeks, it will be important for the visiting Pistons to keep their cool and stick to their game plan.
Netminders Cole Plowman and Beck Lidén have been a strong tandem crew for the Pistons alternating games up to this point in the regular season. Although Lidén was in net for the Pistons 4-2 loss to the Flyers last Friday, his play has been outstanding so far, especially for a rookie goaltender. It will be interesting as the season goes on to see if Paul and his staff continue to rotate or if they will lean towards veteran Cole Plowman to handle a larger chunk of the workload. The 20-year-old has stepped up to the plate and looked great so far with a .928 save percentage and a 2.33 GAA.
As of Friday morning, the coaching staff have not yet released to the media who is getting the nod in Selkirk but from what we’ve seen so far, there is no poor decision.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PISTONS: PP 4/26 – 15.4% PK 24/26 – 92.3%
STEELERS: PP 4/24 – 16.7% PK 25/29 – 86.2%
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pistons: Kirk Mullen
Pistons 20-year-old forward Kirk Mullen may not have been on the score sheet in Wednesday’s win over the Steelers, he has been a pivotal part of the Pistons offense so far this season with 5 goals and 2 assists in 4 games in September. His strong play earned some recognitions as the MJHL’s Manitoba Pork Peak Performer of the Month for September. Let’s see if he gets back on the board tonight.
Steelers: Deshon Frieson
The Steelers offense has been pretty spread out in their lineup so far but Frieson leads the way in his team’s defenseman with a goal and 2 assists so far this season in 5 games played. Steinbach’s wingers will have to keep an eye on him at the blue line.
Puck drop at the Selkirk Recreational Complex is at 7:30pm. Catch the game on Flo Hockey or listen to voice of the Pistons Dave Anthony over at DAbroadcasting.mixlr.com.
Road Report brought to you by Compass Coach Lines. Visit them at www.compasscoachlines.com.