With the help of a four-goal second period, the Steinbach Pistons extended their winning streak to six games after defeating the Niverville Nighthawks 5-1 on Saturday night.
In the opening period, the teams went back and forth, not so much trading chances, but showcasing strong defensive hockey, refusing to let their opponent gain much traction in the zone.
The best chance for Steinbach came on a shortened 5 on 3 power play, but the Nighthawks penalty kill held strong.
Niverville netminder Raiden Legall and Steinbach’s Christian Green were perfect in the first with Legall stopping 13 to Greens 12 saves.
Early in the second, Jackson Kostiuk would put Steinbach on the board as he snapped home his second of the season. Aaron Krestanowich picked up the lone assist.
Another 5 on 3 power play, this time for over a minute, gave the Pistons a glorious opportunity to bust the game open but again, it was the penalty killers getting the job done, keeping it a one goal game.
After the teams returned to 5 on 5, Steinbach would grow the lead after Ryan McDonald was able to walk in and snap home his first career MJHL goal. The unassisted marker made it 2-0 Steinbach.
Soon after the second goal, there was another for the home fans to celebrate as Mathis Laplante took a loose puck, walked in and fired a laser for his fourth of the season.
Noah Szabo finished off the scoring in the second period as the Captain filtered a shot from the point that found the back of the net for his third of the year, making it 4-0. Sam Noad had the lone assist.
In the third, Dawson Zeller cashed in on a power play to get Niverville a little closer, trailing 4-1. Aiden Corbett and Luke McKenzie had the helpers.
Tempers flared throughout the game and things got more heated in the final minutes of the third.
Brody Green capped off the night scoring his third of the year off a sweet feed from Kostiuk to make it a 5-1 game. Spencer Penner picked up the second assist.
Christian Green picked up his 4th win of the year making 36 saves.
Steinbach’s power play went 0-5 while the penalty kill was 2-3.
The Pistons are on the road Sunday as they travel to Neepawa to battle the Titans.