The Oil Caps dropped Game 3 of the MJHL championship by a score of 5-3 to the Pistons on Saturday night in Steinbach.
The Oil Caps looked ready and eager to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series early in the game, however it was the home team that got on the board first as Tristan Culleton’s first of the playoffs just 2:23 into the game made it 1-0 for Steinbach.
As the period progressed, the Oil Caps continued to push the pace, eventually knotting the score on a Justin Lee tally at the 14:03 mark. However, just 20 seconds later, Bradley Schoonbaert scored what would be his first of two on the night to make it 2-1 for the Pistons.
After Schoonbaert’s second of the night at 4:41 of the middle frame made it 3-1, the Oil Caps once again showed resiliency – which has been a theme of these playoffs – eventually tying the game off the sticks of Graeme Hore at the 14:41 mark and Kirklan Lycar, who scored on a fantastic individual effort with less than a minute to go in the period to make it 3-3 after 40 minutes.
The third period however didn’t go Virden’s way as Daniel McKitrick would make it 4-3 for Steinbach just 1:07 into the period before Drew Worrad’s tally later in the frame provided the Pistons with a two-goal lead they wouldn’t relinquish on this night.
Matthew Thiessen picked up his seventh win of the postseason in net for Steinbach, while Oil Caps netminder Riley McVeigh was out-dueled on this night, losing for only the second time this postseason.
“We’re still in a good spot,” said Oil Caps head coach Troy Leslie after the game. “We’re heading back into our own barn and we’re up in the series 2-1. We just have to come out and have a strong game.”
Game 4 of the MJHL championship goes Monday night in Virden. Game time: 7:30 p.m. (The Oil Caps lead the series 2-1.)
Tickets for Game 4 are going FAST! You can get your tickets at the Oil Caps office, Valleyview Co-op Mini Mart and Virden Sport & Fashion!