The Dauphin Kings and Steinbach Pistons are coming to Dauphin for game three of their best-of-seven championship series tied one game apiece after a split of the first two games in Steinbach.
The Pistons grabbed the early series lead with a 5-1 win, Friday night, but the Kings rebounded with a 5-1 victory of their own to even the series on Saturday.
Steinbach jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period of game one and increased it to 3-1 after 40 minutes before putting the game away in the third.
In game two, it was the Kings who took the early 1-0 lead in the first period and they carried a 2-1 advantage into the third where they scored twice on the power play to ice the game.
Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley said Steinbach was able to take advantage of their opportunities in game one, while the Kings were stymied.
“I thought the game was pretty even, except for some of the breaks they got around the net. We just couldn’t get any. We hit two or three posts and a couple crossbars. It was one of those things,” he said. “It was a good game both ways. It was really tough in that arena, just adjusting to the small ice surface. The way the puck bounces in the last eight to 10 minutes of every period was an experience.”
Both teams struggled on the power play in game one with the Kings going scoreless in six tries, while Steinbach missed out on four tries. Hedley said both teams brought a lot of energy and were aggressive on the penalty kill.
“There’s not a lot of space in the offensive zone, so any time the puck is on the wall, there’s pressure and three or four guys overloading. It makes it tough. You really have to have some quick puck movement. And, obviously, with the puck bouncing, it makes it tough to handle the puck real well,” he said.
Hedley was pleased with the way the Kings rebounded in game two. They were hard on pucks, he said, and were on the right side of the puck in battles all night.
“And we got some breaks. I think we could have had a few more goals in the first period, but (Steinbach goalie Simon) Harkness played real well,” he said.
Hedley felt the Kings got off to a good start in the first period of Friday’s game, but the defensive coverage was lacking at times, which allowed the Pistons some odd man rushes.
“Our D zone coverage is usually pretty solid, in the corners and net front. But we did give up a couple things there that we talked about and definitely cleaned up the second game,” he said.
The series now shifts to Dauphin for games three and four, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Hedley noted the Pistons had a great atmosphere and large crowds in the first two games.
“A lot of noise and a lot of emotion. And I think it will be great for the guys to get home and get a little of that fan appreciation back here,” he said.
