Steelers leading scorer Nate Halvorsen had two goals and an assist, as Selkirk used three opportunistic first period goals on their way to a 4-2 win over the battered Steinbach Pistons Friday night in Selkirk.
Matt Radomsky got the start in goal for Steinbach and put forth a valiant effort with 45 saves on the night.
Playing without two regulars on the back end in Troy Williams (LBI) and Doug Johnson (UBI), and already without Brendan Westbrook up front (LBI), Steinbach lost Nico Labossiere for the game on a big collision at centre ice with Steelers forward Brett Namaka early in the first period.
The Pistons carried play in the first half of the opening period, but a giveaway in their own zone led to the Steelers’ first goal as Will Middleton beat Radomsky in the slot halfway through the first period.
Selkirk went up 2-0 with under five minutes to play in the first as Halvorsen’s pass went through two Pistons found Connor Barley, and Barley one-timed home his 28thof the season past Radomsky.
Halvorsen got his first of two on the night with 1:09 left in the opening period, as the Steelers took a 3-0 after 20 minutes. He then got his second of the night after a third Pistons gaffe in their own zone 1:53 into the second to give the Steelers a 4-0 lead.
Being outshot 41-15 after two periods, the Pistons got on their horse in the third and tried to get back in the game. Max Neill got Steinbach on the board, as he shoveled home a backhand past Zach Bennett to make it 4-1. Caydin Cleland and Troy Beauchemin had the helpers on Neill’s 9th goal of the season.
Kyle Bettens brought the Pistons within two with just over twelve minutes to play, as he took a rebound and buried the puck into a wide-open net. Tanner Mole and Evan Kaufman picked up the assists on Bettens’ 9th goal on the campaign.
But that’s as close as they would come, as the Steelers would come away with a 4-2 win.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Pistons were 0 for 4 on the power play, while the Steelers went 0 for 3.
UP NEXT: Steinabach travels to play the playoff bound Waywayseecappo Wolverines on Sunday, as Wayway beat Virden this evening to clinch the eighth and final spot in the MJHL postseason. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 pm.