Purtill, Pistons power past OCN Blizzard

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This article was published 01/10/2017 (2397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a command performance by newly minted team captain Braden Purtill, the Steinbach Pistons blanked the OCN Blizzard 5-0 Sunday night in Steinbach in a key early season match-up in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Easton Bennett scored what proved to be the winning goal as he scored Steinbach’s first goal just 27 seconds after the opening face-off. Purtill took over this game after that scoring the next four, one each in the first and second periods and added two more in the third.

Purtill now leads the MJHL with eight goals on the season. Slick defenceman Darby Gula, the ultra-talented powerplay specialist, the Steinbach product, added another two assists in the game and is now tied for first in the MJHL scoring race with Virden’s Tyler Kirkup. Gula has 11 points on a goal and 10 assists.

Purtill’s linemates Bradley Schoonbaert and Will Koop each also had two assists.

Matt Radomsky picked up the shutout for the Pistons, making 22 saves as the Pistons dominated the Blizzard, outshooting them 42-22.

With the win, the Pistons improved to 4-1 on the season, tied for third in the standings with the Portage Terriers. Virden leads the loop at 5-1, while the Blizzard are now a point back at 4-1-1 after suffering their first regulation time loss Sunday to the Pistons.

Virden took over first place last night with a big 4-1 victory over the Portage Terriers.

The Pistons next see action Friday night at Dauphin. Steinbach whipped the winless and last place Kings 6-1 Friday night in Steinbach.