Article Courtesy of Steinbachonline.com
The Pistons got off to a slow start and never fully recovered in a 2-1 loss to the Selkirk Steelers on Saturday night.
Coming off a game where they were embarrassed 5-0, head coach Paul Dyck knew the Steelers would be amped up, especially on their home ice. “The first period really cost us. We got a little more engaged as the game went on, we found more guys that wanted to contribute. We’ve had a hard time coming back this year but we expected our club to answer back more then they did.”
The Steelers hit the board first in the opening period and it stayed 1-0 all the way into the third period.
In the final frame, both teams were playing hard and emotions were amped up with a lot of pushing and shoving after whistles, neither team backing down.
A questionable penalty call led to a Steelers power play which they converted on to make it 2-0. Dyck said after the game his team is learning how to keep emotions from boiling over. “It’s difficult, you can see it on both sides, when players on a game like tonight, can get distracted. We try and focus them on the job at hand and it was evident that some of our guys let the emotions get the better of them. We’re a team that is learning and we can move forward.”
Steinbach found their legs in the back half of the game and late in the third, it was Jordan Bochinski absolutely crushing a puck with a slap shot that almost went right through the net, a shot so hard the Steelers goalie had no chance and it cut the lead to 2-1. Landon Plett and Braden Purtill had the assists on the goal.
The Pistons pulled their goalie for the extra attacker but fell short as they now have lost their last two visits to Selkirk.
Matt Radomsky got the start in goal and kept his team in it with several key saves, including a partial breakaway in the first when it was 0-0 and then again late in the third as Steinbach was pushing for the equalizer granted the Steelers another breakaway but Radomsky stood true and made the save. He finished the night with 21.
Special teams were decent for the Pistons as the power play went 1-6 while the penalty kill was 2-3. Steinbach is recorded as out shooting Selkirk 34-23.
Steinbach will have Sunday off before getting back on the ice Monday for practice in anticipation of the MJHL Showcase being held in Winnipeg. Steinbach will have two afternoon games, Tuesday at 1:00pm and Wednesday at 3:00pm.
Game Notes:
Braden Purtill has a 4 game point streak he has 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points during that period.
Landon Plett has 4 points in his past 4 games.
Jordan Bochinski has tied his career high in points set back in 2014/15 with 27. He is also 1 goal away from matching his goal output from last season. 6 of his 13 goals have been on the power play.