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Photo Credit: Ice Wave Media

Wounded Pistons Tie Game Late But Fall In Overtime

Content Provided By: Steinbach Online

 

 

Brayden Barnett scored his second of the game with less than a minute to go in regulation, knotting up the game but the Steinbach Pistons would earn just the single point, falling to the Selkirk Steelers 5-4 in overtime Tuesday night.

Coming off a game on Saturday where they executed a simple and effective game plan, Tuesday started out the opposite. Early on, Steinbach looked to force things, trying to much at times and it allowed the Steelers opportunities to either clear their zone or work in the offensive zone.

Steinbach did manage to open the scoring on a power play as Barnett fought his way to the front of the net and put his stick on the ice which Brody Green hit with a perfect pass, putting the Pistons up 1-0. For Barnett, it was his 4th of the year. Connor Paronuzzi also picked up an assist on the goal.

The details that were in their game on Saturday slipped and it allowed their opponent a chance to get back in the game. A chance the Steelers would not squander.

Selkirk scored twice in quick succession to grab a 2-1 lead.

Brody Green pulled the Pistons back to even as again, the power play went to work. After keeping a puck in at the blueline, the special teams unit worked the puck around the top of the zone, eventually finding Green who walked in and snapped a puck off the far-side post and in for his 13th of the season. Reece Gault and Jackson Kostiuk, both in their first game back after claiming bronze at the World Jr. A Challenge had the assists.

The contest was tied 2-2 after the first 20 minutes.

Paronuzzi would give his team the lead as the MJHL’s leading scorer broke in with Mathis Laplante on a two-on-one. Laplante hammered a shot that was designed to produce a rebound and it did exactly that. The 19-year-old Ontario product was there to tap home his 13th of the year, giving Steinbach a 3-2 lead.

For Paronuzzi, it was his 4th straight game with a goal.

Selkirk managed to respond again, scoring to tie the game 3-3 just past the midway point of the second and that score would hold going into the third.

The home side would find the back of the net first in the third as Selkirk once again gave themselves a lead, scoring to make it 4-3 just over six minutes into the final frame.

Steinbach refused to go away and came up with several glorious chances to tie the game, but every one was turned away.

In the final minutes, the Steelers took a delay of game penalty, giving Steinbach a chance to pull the goalie with a power play, giving them a 6 on 4.

While the first minute and a half of the power play didn’t produce the desired goal, the Pistons stuck with it.

Jamie Fuchs was a wrecking ball all night and the 20-year-olds hard work paid off, giving him the puck in the Steelers zone with under 30 seconds to go in regulation. Fuchs hesitated, waited for a lane to open up and then hit Barnett who was parked in front with a perfect feed and Barnett hammered it home for his second of the game and 5th of the year, evening up the game at 4-4.

For Barnett, it was his second multi-goal game of the season. Once again, Paronuzzi was involved as he collected his third point of the night. He’s now up to 30 assists on the season and has 16 points in his last 6 games.

Selkirk was awarded a power play in overtime and they used it to grab the extra point with an overtime win.

Christian Green made 44 saves in the loss.

Steinbach’s power play kept them alive throughout the game, finishing a strong 3-6 while the penalty kill went 1-2.

The Pistons have one more game before the holiday break, they’ll travel to Winkler to meet the Flyers on Friday night.