Hub game recap

It was a mix of good and bad for the Steinbach Pistons over the weekend as they split a pair of games against the Neepawa Titans.

Frustrating Friday

Coming off the MJHL/SJHL Showcase, the first game of the weekend went the way of the Titans as they defeated Steinbach 3-2.

In the opening minutes of the period, the Titans managed to open the scoring and then used a power play a short time later to increase the lead to 2-0.

The line of Leo Chambers, Ian Amsbaugh, and Nick Mikan combined to get the Pistons back into the game as Chambers scored his 16th of the year to cut the lead to 2-1.

With time winding down in the period, goalie Cole Plowman made some sensational saves as the Titans tried to restore their two-goal lead, but the 19-year-old held firm, and the two teams went into the break with Neepawa up 2-1.

Early in the second, the Titans did get the insurance goal they were looking for to go up 3-1.

Steinbach's power play got them back into the fight as Amsbaugh scored his 16th of the campaign from Parker Jasper and Langley Kruggel to make it a one-goal game again.

Despite pushing hard toward the end of the game and with the extra attacker, the horn sounded and the Titans walked away with a 3-2 win.

Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting Back

Needing a response at home, the Pistons gutted out a 5-3 win although early on, victory was far from certain.

For a second straight game, it was the Titans that broke out for a 2-0 lead scoring a pair of goals less than four minutes apart.

Davin Griffin cut the lead in half off a wonderful deflection from a Noah Szabo point shot and the 20-year-old's 5th made it a 2-1 game. Hunter Degelman also notched a helper.

A mere 35 seconds later, Ty Paisley and Dawson Milliken broke in 2-on-1 and it was the Steinbach product that ripped a shot home to tie the game 2-2. For Paisley, it was his 14th of the year. Josh Nelson and Milliken had the assists.

Both teams piled up the shots with the visiting Titans having the advantage 17-16 but thanks to some timely and calm saves from Dominik Wasik, the score was tied 2-2.

That score didn't last as with less than three minutes played, Spencer Penner walked in from the blue line, took a pass, and wired home his 4th of the year to give Steinbach their first lead of the weekend, 3-2. Leo Chambers who prior to the game was named the Pistons Player of the Month for January had one assist while the captain Milliken notched his second point of the night.

For a second straight night, Ian Amsbaugh scored while on the power play as the dynamic winger walked in from the half-wall and wired a laser top shelf for his 17th goal. Chambers and Langley Kruggel picked up the assists.

In the third, the Titans got closer as they cut the lead but their momentum lasted all of twelve seconds. That's how long it took for Steinbach to respond.

Milliken started the play by walking into the zone and firing a puck toward the net. An excellent little deflection from Neo Kiemeny went right to the stick of Paisley who had blazed a trail right to the net and tapped home his second of the game and 15th of the season.

Neepawa pushed but Wasik and some great team defense kept the score 5-3 and got Steinbach a much-needed win.

Pre-Valentines Make Up Date

Steinbach was set to have the week off but thanks to a game that was postponed earlier in the year, they will travel to Winkler on Wednesday night to battle the Flyers. Two massive points hang in the balance as the long-time rivals are just two points apart in the MGEU East Division.

Game time on Wednesday is at 7:00 pm.