The Southeast Event Centre witnessed an electrifying MJHL clash on Friday night as the Steinbach Pistons mounted a thrilling third-period comeback to defeat the Portage Terriers 3-1. An eager crowd of 2,304 fans were treated to late-game heroics and a standout performance by Steinbach’s Connor Paronuzzi.
Defensive Battle Through Two Periods
The game started with an intense pace, as both teams looked to establish control early. Portage struck first late in the opening frame when Decker Mujcin capitalized on a pass from Caleb Lepitre to give the Terriers a 1-0 edge at 18:29. Steinbach struggled to find their rhythm in the first, with Portage taking an 11-12 edge in shots on goal.
The second period saw no change in the scoreboard, but the tension built as both teams battled hard. A flurry of penalties kept referees busy and shaped the flow of the game, yet neither team’s power-play unit could find the back of the net. Goaltenders Green (Steinbach) and Kathler (Portage) stood tall, with Green especially steady during the few opportunities the Terriers created in a quiet period offensively.
Third Period Surge Fuels Pistons’ Win
The third period, however, was all Steinbach. Momentum shifted decisively just over four minutes in when Paronuzzi scored off assists from Sam Zagari and Spencer Penner at 4:27, bringing the Pistons level. Barely a minute later, at 5:44, Ty Paisley followed suit, with Paronuzzi and Zagari contributing once again to give Steinbach a 2-1 lead.
The Terriers pressed hard for the equalizer but were met with a rock-solid Steinbach defense led by goaltender Green, who finished the game with a stellar 19 saves on 20 shots. Portage pulled their goalie late in a desperate bid to tie the game, but Paronuzzi struck again, sealing the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:06.
Key Stats and Highlights
- Shots on Goal: Steinbach 36, Portage 20
- Power Plays: Steinbach 0/4, Portage 0/3
- Goaltending: Steinbach’s Green stood out with 19 saves, while Portage’s Kathler faced heavy pressure, turning away 33 of 35 shots.
- Standout Player: Connor Paronuzzi shone brightly with two goals (including the game-winner) and an assist, making him pivotal in Steinbach’s triumph.
Final Thoughts
With this win, Steinbach demonstrated their ability to remain composed under pressure and capitalize on key moments. They’ll look to carry this momentum forward as they continue their MJHL campaign. Fans undoubtedly left the Southeast Event Centre buzzing from the Pistons’ remarkable third-period comeback.
Make sure to catch the Pistons in action on Sunday when they travel to Portage for game 2.