Pistons gain split in weekend series with Stamps

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/12/2018 (1957 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a battle of two of the leading teams in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, the third place Steinbach Pistons garnered a weekend split in Swan River against the second place Swan Valley Stampeders.

After getting blanked 3-0 in the series opener Saturday night, the Pistons stormed out of the gates in the re-match Sunday afternoon, sprinting to a 4-0 lead by the midway point of the second period, and held on for a 4-3 victory over the potent Stampeders.

Brady Tatro with a pair, and singles from Tanner Mole and David Queree took care of the Steinbach scoring through the first half of the game. Brendan Martin and Tyson McConnell each picked up two assists in the contest.

After the Stampeders had narrowed the Steinbach lead to 4-1 late in the second, league scoring leader Josh Tripp netted of pair of goals in the third to make it a tense finish as his second of the night came with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

Matt Lenz made his sixth straight start in net for the Pistons in December as veteran netminder Matt Radomsky was away competing for Team Canada West at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Alberta. Lenz made 29 saves to pick up his seventh win of the season as the Stampeders outshot the Pistons 32-22.

Meanwhile, Radomsky had a standout tournament at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge as he was instrumental in leading Team Canada West to the bronze on Sunday in a spectacular 46-save performance, being named Player of the Game, as the Canadians beat the Czech Republic 3-1 for the bronze. Radomsky will be returning to the Pistons this week.

The Pistons, now 22-10-2-0, remain five points back of the Stampeders in the standings, with a game in hand on the Stamps.

The Pistons hit the road again on Tuesday as they will take on the Winnipeg Blues at 7:00 p.m. at Bell MTS Iceplex.