Steinbach Pistons go down 2-0 in MJHL finals

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This article was published 21/04/2024 (735 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winkler Flyers have put together an impressive start to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) finals, holding the best offense in the league during the regular season to only one goal in two victories.

The Steinbach Pistons, the MJHL’s regular season champions, have looked a touch slow in the finals falling 2-1 in game one in Niverville April 19 and 3-1 in game two in Winkler April 21.

Blake Matheson was the difference for Winkler, even though his name didn’t show up on the scoresheet, save for a third-period interference penalty.

Matheson was on the ice as Steinbach pushed for the tying goal. As the clock ticked down, the Pistons threw the puck into the slot, but no player was able to get a stick on it. With starting goalie Malachi Klassen down and out, and the puck falling on the pinching defender’s stick, Matheson desperately dove in front of the shot, blocking it and saving the game for Winkler.

Winkler’s offense came in the second period, as the visitors dominated on the ice for the middle 20 minutes of the game, outshooting Steinbach 21-10.

The first goal came after an extended shift inside the Steinbach zone, and was awarded to Isaiah Peters, despite Steinbach starting goalie Cole Plowman’s insistence a player in the slot had knocked down the puck with a high stick.

The difference on the scoreboard came at the last possible second in the third period. A net-front scramble lead to a Steinbach defender attempting to fall on the puck in a kneeling position at the same time as Plowman tried to cover the puck with his glove. Trent Penner took advantage of the mishap, fishing the puck out of the pile in front of the net and into the back of the net with only a second left in the frame.

Captain Leo Chambers brought Steinbach to within one, but Matheson’s heroics in the waning moments prevented any overtime from being played.

Ile des Chenes’ Brody Beauchemin was the difference in game two.

After Kirk Mullen got the visitor’s off to a perfect start, with a strong move to the slot and a backhand finish, Zach Nicolas replied for the home side before the first intermission.

Beauchemin would notch the winning goal once again in the second period, on an unfortunate play. With Steinbach on the powerplay, Jack Cook tried to corral a bouncing puck at the left point, but the rubber eluded him. Not only did he miss keeping the puck in the zone, he also lost sight of it and that split-second of indecision would cost the Pistons dearly.

Despite a heroic backcheck from Mullen to turn a two-on-none into a two-on-one, Connor Jensen calmly flipped the puck to the supporting Beauchemin, who knocked home a backbreaking short-handed goal.

Steinbach would push for the equalizer, but came up short, even giving up an insurance goal despite out-shooting Winkler 9-4 in the frame.

Game three takes on a massive importance, and will take place in Niverville, as the team moves down the road for the finals after spending the rest of the year in La Broquerie.