It was a late third-period goal and a couple of soft penalty calls that eventually cost the Steinbach Pistons game 4 as the Winnipeg Blues tied the series 2-2 after a 3-1 win Thursday night.

Both teams kind of came out a bit flat in the opening period. The Blues had a couple of chances early, the best one coming off a deflection from the point that rattled off the post.

The Pistons pushed back and the line of Braden Purtill, Jack Johnson and Tyson McConnell filtered a couple pucks to the net but were turned away by the Blues netminder. 

After 20 minutes, the game was scoreless with Steinbach holding the edge in shots 10-6.

In the second, the Pistons got on the board after a nice rush from Bradley Schoonbaert resulted in a big rebound that was buried by Daniel McKitrick, giving Steinbach the 1-0 lead. McKitrick's 3rd of the playoffs was also assisted by Drew Worrad.

Later in the period, after a weak penalty call, the Blues were able to take advantage of being up a man when Brendan Bartlett walked in from the point and ripped a wrister past Matthew Thiessen, tying the game 1-1.

The Pistons continued to push pucks towards the net but a lot of rebounds were cleared away by the Blues before Steinbach sticks could find the loose pucks.

In the third, both teams were playing a bit defensive but as the period went on a long stretch without a whistle, the speed slowly began to crank up.

Late in the third, the Blues used a rush by Nick Cicek to get into the Pistons zone with speed and even after Cicek lost the puck driving the net, he continued towards the blue paint and after the puck hit a leg in front, it found the stick of Cicek who tapped it into the open net to give the Blues a 2-1 lead.

Another penalty was handed out on a questionable goalie interference call with only 2 minutes to go in the game that put the Pistons down a man. 

With the goalie pulled making it 5 on 5, the Blues were able to get an empty netter from Devon Skoleski that sealed the Winnipeg 3-1 win.

Matthew Thiessen finished the night with 16 saves while Steinbach directed 35 shots towards the Blues goal, only scoring once.

The Pistons power play finished 0-4 while the penalty kill was 2-4.

Up Next

The series is all tied up 2-2 heading back to Steinbach for game 5 on Saturday night, 7:30 pm at the TG Smith Centre. Game 6 is set for Sunday night at Bell MTS Iceplex at 6:30 pm. Both games will be on MIX 96 and SteinbachOnline.com.

Then There Were Three

The Steinbach Pistons and the Winnipeg Blues are continuing their battle, while on the other side, the Virden Oil Capitals punched their ticket to the Turnbull Cup finals after sweeping away the Winkler Flyers 4-0. 

It's the first time the Oil Caps have made the MJHL Finals since moving to Virden in 2012.