Goaltender Nathan Reay was the story with a 41 save shutout, as the Waywayseecappo Wolverines blanked the Steinbach Pistons 1-0 Sunday night.
The start time was delayed for two hours due to road closures in Manitoba. Once the game got underway, it was an even start as both teams got chances early on.
Matt Radomsky made 20 saves for the Pistons in the loss.
The Wolverines got the lead on a 2-on-1 rush, as Anthony Bilka found Greg Lee for his 12th of the year and a 1-0 lead at the 13:39 mark of the first period.
The second and third periods belonged to the Pistons. After being outshot 11-9 by Wayway in the first period, Steinbach only allowed ten more shots on goal the rest of the way.
Playing without leading scorer Brendan Martin, the undermanned Pistons poured on 13 shots in the middle frame and 19 shots in the third period. But Reay, who was making his first start since early January after Isaac Labelle played 17 consecutive games, turned away shot after shot.
Steinbach had multiple chances in the final five minutes, but Reay found the puck in multiple scrums and prevented any further opportunities.
The best chances for Steinbach came with under three to play, as former Wolverine Riley Vautour found a juicy rebound and threw it on goal. But Reay threw out his left leg in desperation and somehow kept the puck out of the net.
The Pistons pressed hard but couldn’t solve the playoff-bound Wolverines, who skated away with a 1-0 victory.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Steinbach went 0 for 3 on the power play, while Wayway went 0 for 5.
UP NEXT: The final road game of the regular season for the Pistons is on Wednesday night, when they face the first place Portage Terriers at Stride Place. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm, catch the action on your radio at MIX 96 and Steinbachonline.com or live on HockeyTV.