With 10 games remaining on the regular season calendar heading into Monday afternoon’s holiday matinee at home against the Winnipeg Blues, the Steinbach Pistons looked to continue their push to catch the first-place Niverville Nighthawks after winning their seventh consecutive game in Selkirk on Saturday. Despite the Blues being out of the playoff race, that was no excuse to take them lightly, and after a relatively shaky first period, Steinbach did not hold back on the scoresheet.
Jack Greenwell, who had been held off the scoreboard in his previous four games, opened the scoring just 2:36 into the contest. Max Powers-Brekke’s shot was stopped by Justin Perreault and popped out to Ryan McDonald. McDonald’s rebound attempt was turned aside by Perreault’s pad, and he sent a pass through the Blues’ crease to Greenwell, who jammed it home for his 29th of the year.
Steinbach played a relatively loose first period defensively, requiring Chris Quizi to make some strong saves to keep it a 1-0 game.
After 20 minutes of play, Steinbach led 1-0 and held a 13-9 edge in shots.
Unfortunately, Quizi did not return for the rest of the contest, so Easton Thvedt took over in goal. Pistons head coach Paul Dyck said postgame he wasn’t sure how serious the injury was, and the goal is to take care of him as the postseason approaches.
Luke Bogart, the birthday boy, extended the lead to two at 7:48, surprising Perreault with a quick shot from the point through traffic that beat him clean through the five-hole. It was the 20-year-old’s fifth of the year.
William Picklyk added his 16th just 36 seconds later to put his club up by three, firing a quick wrist shot from the left circle past Perreault’s blocker.
Steinbach went to the penalty kill, but that didn’t stop Logan Mehl from capitalizing on an opportunity. McDonald picked up his own rebound, circled around Winnipeg’s net, and found Mehl in the slot, who buried it into the open cage as Perreault was still down and out. Mehl recorded his ninth of the year at 10:25.
Marek Miller made it 5-0 when he and Greenwell broke out on a 2-on-1. Miller sent a cross-ice pass to Greenwell on his right side, and Greenwell returned the favour for an easy tap-in goal for the 19-year-old’s 12th at 12:16.
Dane MacInnis finally gave Winnipeg something to cheer about at 15:08, getting the Blues on the board with a fortunate bounce for his second of the campaign.
Grady Hoffman wrapped up the five-goal middle frame with his 16th of the year, another shorthanded goal, with 24 seconds remaining in the period. The Yorkton, Sask. native finished off a nice cross-slot dish from Liam Doyle.
After a merciless middle period and outshooting the Blues 26-7, Steinbach held a 6-1 lead.
Captain Sam Noad added his name to the list of goals just 36 seconds into the final period, scoring his 18th and seventh in his last seven games.
Carson White netted his 10th of the year just 35 seconds later, making it 7-2, but the Pistons would go on to score five more goals in the third period.
McDonald (17, 18) and Connor Paronuzzi (6) found the back of the net, while Picklyk (17) and Mehl (10) added their second of the game.
Steinbach ended their domination with 12 goals, the first time they’ve hit double digits this season, defeating the Blues 12-2.
Thvedt, who came in relief of Quizi after the opening period, made 11 saves as Steinbach improved to 39-8-2.
McDonald (2G, 3A) earned First Star of the Game, Greenwell (1G, 4A) earned Second Star, and Bogart (1G, 2A) Third Star.
Steinbach now heads up to The Pas to take on the Northern Manitoba Blizzard Friday night at 7 p.m. CT at Roy H. Johnston Arena before facing the Swan Valley Stampeders the following night at Swan River Centennial Arena with puck drop set for 7 p.m. CT.
