Pistons overpower Natives

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Published on Thursday, December 10, 2015

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The Neepawa Natives were unable to keep pace with the Steinbach Pistons on Wednesday, Dec. 9, falling 7-2 at the T.G. Smith Centre.

The game started with Steinbach controlling extended stretches but not being able to convert on their chances in the opening portion of the first. Pistons’ forward Tyson McConnell put the home team on the boardhowever, with a shorthanded goal at 13:53 of the first period. 

In the second, rookie defensemen Matthew Stanley doubled the advantage for the Pistons, by scoring his first of the season at 4:44.  Neepawa was able to make it 2-1 just a few minutes later, as Brayden Atkinson secured his seventh goal and 19 point of the season. A power-play goal from Steinbach later the the second made it 3-1 after 40 minutes.

In the third, the Pistons took over, scoring four goals on 21 shots. The Natives were able to add their second goal of the night off an Aiken Chop break-away in the final seconds of the game, to make the final score 7-2. 

Goaltender Jeremy Wik earned the win for Steinbach stopping 23 of the 25 shots he faced. Neepawa goaltender Troy Pierce meanwhile,  found himself dealing with a much busier night between the pipes, facing 62 shots and making 55 saves.

The next game for Neepawa is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13, when the team faces the Swan Valley Stampeders at the Yellowhead Arena. Game time is scheduled for 6:30 pm.