The Steinbach Pistons did the heavy lifting offensively in the first period scoring four times and Christian Green did the rest as the 20-year-old got his first MJHL shutout in a 4-0 win over the Northern Manitoba Blizzard.
Early in the first, the Blizzard came out strong, pushing to get on the board first. Despite the pressure, the Pistons defence held strong and a key block from Cole Cairns kept the game scoreless early.
Reece Gault gave Steinbach the lead as the dynamic defender fired a shot from the point that found the back of the net for his second of the year. Brody Green and Jackson Kostiuk had the assists.
Brody Green would double the Pistons lead ripping home a beauty off a feed from Gault, making it a 2-0 game. Green’s power play goal was his second of the year. Shane Burns also picked up an assist.
The goals kept coming as Kostiuk worked a puck free from the boards, finding Burns at the point. Burns fired a shot that was perfectly deflected by Brayden Berg (2), pushing the lead to 3-0.
Burns would keep the good times rolling for the visitors as the hulking defender showcased his elite shot, beating the Blizzard goalie clean for his second of the year, 4-0 Steinbach. Aaron Krestanowich, who was making his Pistons debut, had one assist while Kostiuk picked up his 3rd helper of the frame.
In the second, it was Christian Green’s time to shine.
The Blizzard pushed hard, trying to claw their way back into the game but time and time again, Green stood tall. The best chances came in the form of breakaways, two clear cut but Green refused to bend.
The best chance for the home side to get on the board was during a penalty shot but Green calmly and cooly turned it aside.
More of the same in the third as Green and a strong penalty kill refused to let the Blizzard get any momentum or offence.
Steinbach’s penalty kill was 6/6 and Green finished the night making 24 saves for his first MJHL shutout.
The power play was strong, going 2/3 in the game.
It was not all good news for Steinbach who lost Grady Hoffman to an injury in the first, Berg, who left the game in the second with an injury and Brayden Barnett, who played sparingly in the third but stayed on the bench.
The status of all 3 is unclear heading into Saturdays game vs the Swan Valley Stampeders.