It was a classic goalie duel all night long as the Steinbach Pistons and Portage Teriers engaged in an instant classic on Wednesday night and when all was said and done, it was Roman Bengert getting the shutout for the Pistions in a 1-0 win.

Bengert was nothing short of absolutely sensational from the opening face off to the final buzzer and was matched save for save by the Terriers goalie, rookie Brock Aiken. Both teams traded chances in the first period but strong defensive efforts from both sides kept any seriously dangerous chances to a minimum. Steinbach had a chance late in the period on the power play but couldn't convert. The opening period ended with the teams deadlocked in a scoreless game.

Cue the goalie show.

In the middle period the teams began to open things up. Both sides showed off their incredible speed generating odd man rushes up and down the ice. The save of the night came when Terriers forward Chase Brakel went in on Bengert all alone, made a beautiful move and looked like he had Bengert caught but somehow, 20 year old from Nova Scotia kicked out his left leg and made one of the best saves of his career. After the game, head coach Paul Dyck was still marvelling at not just that save but his goalies entire performance. "Right from the opening puck drop, five or ten minutes in I knew he was sharp and he was there all night. He saw some good looks and I thought he was really in control of his game tonight. That save in the second (the break away robbing of Brakel) was one of the best I've ever seen and he was just perfect tonight."

The second period ended with the scoreboard still reading 0-0. 

Finally a team would break through in the final period of regulation. Julien Koga, who was buzzing all night long, started the rush up the boards and as both Portage defenders closed in on him, Tyler Anderson read the play and followed up in support. As the puck was tipped away from Koga, Anderson scooped it up and using the players in front of him as a screen, slipped the puck through Aiken for his second of the season and more importantly a 1-0 lead for Steinbach. "I was so proud of the boys." Anderson said after the game. "We worked harder then I think I've seen us work all season. Tonight was the night that we really established our identity in this league."

Portage would push back but Bengert stood tall and turned away every shot that made it through. One key play that will not show up on the scoreboard was when Portage pulled their goalie, as time was ticking down a last second rush led to a cross ice pass that was broken up by the tip of the stick of a back checking Braden Purtill, just getting enough to break up the pass and knock the puck into the corner and away from danger.

The horn sounded and the Pistons mobbed their goalie in celebration of a hard fought 1-0 win.

Steinbach's power play finished 0-5 and the penalty kill was a perfect 3-3. Shots on goal were listed as 34-22 for Steinbach.

The Pistons will have two games over the weekend starting with playing host to the Swan Valley Stampeders on Friday night. Bengert talked about needing to keep the effort level high over the next games. "We need to focus on what we did right in this game and carry it on. Practice hard tomorrow and play hard on Friday."

Steinbach also was active on the trade front. After acquiring Wyatt Hinson earlier from the Melfort Mustangs, the Pistons traded 19 year old forward Max Cavallini to the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. 

December 1st marks an important day in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Dyck explains why. "We start the year with 45 cards (any player that plays must be listed on a card before their allowed to suit up for a team) on December 1st, we go down to 25. So, really there are two freezes, it's not a roster freeze like on January 10th when we must be down to 23. So, in saying that, if we're at 23 (On December 1st) it still leaves us two cards to make moves if we see fit before January 10th. We're not sure what the next month will bring but it's nice to have the option and ability to make a move if we see it improving our club."

Dyck was also asked if any players from the WHL coming down would require a card. "Yes. Any transaction requires a card. We did acquire the rights to Arthur Miller, currently of the Swift Current Bronco's in the Max Cavallini trade, plus we have numerous players in the Western league that we have Junior A rights to. So, with those things, we don't find out until the last minute, like January 8th or 9th when those teams make decisions on their final rosters, so if someone does come down, we certainly want to be prepared if those situations arise."

The deadline is at 9:00pm on Thursday, December 1st.

Pistons Notes:

Roman Bengert now has 3 shutouts on the season, matching his shutout total from last year. 

Tyler Anderson's goal was his first since the overtime winner against the Dauphin Kings on October 22nd.

Newest Piston Wyatt Hinson is expected to be in Steinbach this week.