The Steinbach Pistons came out firing on Friday night, putting up a 5-goal opening period then cruising to a 6-0 victory over the Neepawa Titans.
Zach Burleigh was given the start for the Pistons, the 19-year-olds first since an October 13th overtime loss to the same Titans and in the first period, he was given a boost by the offence early and often.
The scoring parade started early as Brett Kaiser opened up the blade of his stick and perfectly deflected a Luke Bogart point shot for his 3rd of the season. Mathis Laplante picked up his first career MJHL assist with the secondary helper, 1-0 Steinbach less than a minute in.
A couple of minutes later, Connor Paronuzzi snapped a 3-game goalless skid by taking the puck on the flank while on a power play, walking in and placing a perfect shot to the back of the net for his team leading 7th of the year. Brayden Berg and Bogart were given the assists as the lead grew to 2-0.
Less than a minute later, Ryan McDonald crashed the net and after a hard, heavy shot from Brayden Barnett was stopped, McDonald pounced on the rebound and tapped home his second of the year. Aaron Krestanowich along with Barnett nabbed helpers on the 3-0 goal.
The home side was not done.
Carson White, who has been all around the net the last couple of games, managed to tip home a Reece Gault point shot for the first career MJHL goal. Bogart picked up his third assist on the 4-0 goal.
McDonald put a cap on the 5 goal period by scoring his second of the night with Gault again picking up the primary assist.
Burleigh was inactive for long stretches as the Pistons ran show for most of the first period. Shots finishing 22-3 in Steinbach's favour.
In the second, the Titans came out with a different energy and pushed the pace. They put a bunch of pucks to the net but Burleigh was there time and time again to make the save. He also got a little help from the crossbar as it turned away what looked like a sure goal.
Seconds after the near miss by Neepawa, Jackson Kostiuk sealed what little doubt there might have been in the outcome as the dynamic sniper scored his 4th of the year and second in as many games. Berg collected his second assist while Brody Green also picked up an assist.
Neepawa played much better in the second period than they did in the first but time and time again, Burleigh and the defense turned the Titans away, refusing to let them get back into the game.
After a very slow first period, Burleigh was called on to stop 14 shots in the middle frame.
In the third, both teams had their moments but both goaltenders managed to stand tall, keeping the 6-0 score all the way through 5 on 5 chances or power play's.
The horn sounded and Burleigh was congratulated by teammates for his first MJHL shutout, finishing with 24 saves.
It's the second straight game the Pistons have posted a shutout.
Steinbach's power play was 1-7 while the penalty kill was a perfect 4-4.
The Pistons will head out to Virden on Saturday for their first game of the year against the Oil Capitals.
Stat Pack
It's been 128:46 since a team has celebrated a goal vs the Pistons.
Steinbach has 3 shutouts so far in October.
Kostiuk extended his point streak to 10 games.
Kaiser extended his point streak to 7 games and has points in all but 1 game he's played in so far this year.
Brody Green has a 4 game point streak.
Blake Farthing played his first career MJHL regular season game.