Caden Zaplitny finished off a two-on-one in overtime to take two points home for the Winnipeg Blues, as they beat the Steinbach Pistons 4-3 in OT.
Steinbach came out hungry, looking to avenge their loss from Friday night to Winnipeg. They outshot the Blues 10-2 in the first six minutes of the period. Neo Kiemeney scored to put the Pistons out front, but only 1:47 later, Jack Kaiser tipped in his first goal of the season to tie the match up at one.
The game looked like it would be tied heading into the intermission, but then the Blues broke out late. Matt McLeod and Jaden Ostrowski scored 13 seconds apart in the final minute to give Winnipeg a late two-goal lead. The two goals were the fastest Winnipeg has scored in succession this season.
The second period was a rougher go for the Blues, with Steinbach pushing hard for the tie. They got it thanks to Jack Rogers scoring two goals 2:13 apart. Steinbach continued to push in the second, but couldn’t find a tie breaker.
Both teams played a conservative third, leading to the first overtime game the Blues have played all season.
The Pistons controlled early possession, but the Blues made their first real chance count. Zaplitny and Duncan Jowett headed up ice after Garett Zasitko generated a turnover, Jowett’s shot got deflected off the backboards, hopping towards Zaplitny who pounded home the winner.
Winnipeg now sits just one point back of Steinbach for the top spot in the East Division. The teams face off again Friday, November 19 at the RINK Training Centre at 7:30 p.m.