New goalie helps Pistons to perfect week in MJHL

It was a magical Steinbach Pistons debut for Hunter Bauer.

The 2006-born goaltender from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, posted a shutout in his first Manitoba Junior Hockey League start, stopping all 25 shots he faced as the Pistons blew out the Winnipeg Monarchs 7-0.

“It was a lot of calm and rebound control,” Bauer said on his game.

“When I get tested, (I try to) get out and challenge the shooter knowing my D is pressuring behind them so they don’t have much options.”

Steinbach had to make a move at goaltender with their number one, Chris Quizi out until at least late January. Head coach and general manager Paul Dyck added Bauer to fill the void.

“(Bauer) had a good week of practice before he made his debut on Wednesday that went as good as he could have hoped,” Dyck said.

“We played pretty well in front of him but he also had to make some big saves throughout the game.”

Bauer’s debut couldn’t have been better timed, as Easton Thevdt, the only goalie to see the crease after Quizi went down, was also out of action this week.

Bauer didn’t disappoint. Over the weekend he posted a second 7-0 shutout over Northern Manitoba before helping the Pistons past the Swan Valley Stampeders in a narrow 2-1 win.

Bauer played two seasons with the Minnesota Mallards of the North American Hockey League after playing his high school hockey in Minnesota. Bauer was named the second star of the game for his performance against Winnipeg.

“It’s really nice to play in front of fans and people that really get involved with the team,” he said after the game against Winnipeg.

“It’s a Wednesday night and they’re still coming out and cheering on the team, so it’s really cool to be a part of.”

With Quizi injured a month ago, the Pistons turned to young and local help to fill in at practices and as back-ups.

Brady Shields, who plays for the Southwest Cougars in the U18 AAA league and Jaxon Loewen were on the Pistons roster for multiple games.

Loewen, who lives in Steinbach and plays for the La Broquerie Habs in the Capital Region Junior Hockey League was a regular at Pistons practices, filling in for the injured Quizi.

Bauer was named an MJHL star of the week for his efforts.

For more MJHL stories, including game recaps, stats and standings check out the print edition of The Carillon.