The Winnipeg Blues played one of their most complete games of the season to walk away with a big 5-2 win over the Steinbach Pistons.
Steinbach struck early, scoring just 31 seconds into the game on a rebound. With the loud crowd and energized bench opposite, the Blues were in a tough position early. However, Winnipeg showed a lot of resilience, calming things down almost immediately, waiting for their chance to strike.
Matheiu Moreira tied the game up off a face off win, and Jaden Ostrowski went bar-down for a late goal to guide the Blues into the intermission up one.
The Pistons came out hard in the second frame, forcing Dawson Green to make some magnificent stops for the Blues. Winnipeg weathered a lengthy five-on-three, and other Pistons pushes, all while generating chances of their own. Eventually, Steinbach came through with Dawson Milliken tying the game on a breakaway.
The game stayed at a deadlock throughout the early third, with both teams trading opportunities. Soon, the Blues got an opportunity on the power play when David Cote hit Moreira too high. Only a few seconds after the power play expired, Josiah Vanderhooft sniped a five-hole goal to give Winnipeg the lead.
The Blues continued to push, adding a power play goal from Mike Tanchak to go up by two. From there, Winnipeg played solid defensive hockey and Vanderhooft added an empty net goal to take two points back with them on the bus.
The two teams meet again Saturday, November 13 at the RINK Training Centre. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.