Hub game recap

Davis Fry and Nate Goodbrandson each had a goal and an assist as the Steinbach Pistons held on late to defeat the Winnipeg Freeze 4-2 on Wednesday night.

In the early part of the first period, both teams took some time to work themselves into the game and to say the play wasn't crisp, might be an understatement.

Cole Plowman earned his third start in a row for Steinbach and his night started by making a nifty pad save on the Freeze's first chance in the opening minute.

Things settled in and Steinbach managed to kill off a penalty that was taken in the first five minutes, eventually earning a man advantage of their own. 

As the power play group worked the puck around the zone, it was Nate Goodbrandson finding Davis Fry across the slot, putting a perfect pass on his tape and Fry didn't make a mistake cashing in his third goal in as many games. Spencer Penner also notched an assist on the opening goal that was scored just as the penalty to Winnipeg expired.

More chances and shots followed but the score held 1-0 after the first.

In the second, it was Fry's turn to return the favor to Goodbrandson as the two connected for Goodbrandson's second of the season. Newcomer to the blueline Warren Clark picked up his first assist as a Piston on the 2-0 marker.

The Goodbrandson power-play goal was the first allowed by the Freeze this season.

A crucial insurance goal was scored a few minutes later as defenseman Josh Nelson busted his way into the Freeze zone, used a little pick from Jamie Fuchs to get some more space around the net, and filter a pass to Davin Griffin who ripped home his first of the year to make it 3-0.

In the third, that three-goal lead began to evaporate. 

Just over five minutes into the period, the Freeze managed to chip a puck up and over the glove of Plowman to cut it to 3-1.

After some tempers flared sending multiple players from each team to the penalty box, the Freeze managed to sneak a quick shot through Plowman to make it a 3-2 game.

Again, Steinbach had a chance to put the game away on the power play but couldn't convert.

With the goalie pulled in the final minutes, it looked as though the Freeze had the game-tying goal as a cross slot, back door pass was begging to be put in the net but Plowman managed to get across the crease, throw up his glove and make a game-saving stop, keeping his team up by a goal.

Travis Hensrud eventually did seal the deal for Steinbach as the forward buried his second of the year after Ian Amsbaugh did a great job to force a turnover in Winnipeg's zone with the empty net.

Steinbach's 4-2 win improves their record to 3-0.

Cole Plowman finished with 21 saves for his third win of the year.

Steinbach's power play clicked once on 8 opportunities while the penalty kill was a perfect 4-4.

TG Smith Centre will be the place the next 4 Pistons games are played as Steinbach welcomes in OCN to start a four-game home stand on Friday night.