Photo: Scott Stroh
It was a statement game for Steinbach’s Cole Plowman as the 20-year-old posted his first career MJHL playoff shutout making 26 saves in a 2-0 game 7 win. After a scoreless opening period, Steinbach potted a pair in the middle frame as Shane Burns notched his first-ever playoff goal while Sam Noad scored his second in as many games. From there, Steinbach was able to lock things down thanks to Plowman and some timely blocked shots, most notably from Spencer Penner.
With their backs against the wall, the Blizzard never quit. They pushed with everything they had, putting together some really good shifts but just couldn’t get the bounces to go their way. Their best chance perhaps came from Adam Belzil who chipped one off the post in the second period. Marlen Edwards, Cale Strasky, and Sebastian Hamming also had really good looks in the game but just couldn’t cash in.
The Blizzard will have 5 graduating players including their captain Sebastian Hamming, Eric Mork, Riley See, Cale Strasky, Kieran Cooke and Emilien Charron.
For a third straight season, the Pistons are off to the Turnbull Cup Finals. They’ll be facing a Winkler Flyers club that hasn’t been in the final dance since 2002. Game 1 will be a Pistons home game played out of the CRRC in Niverville on Friday.