Games like the one between the Steinbach Pistons and the Swan Valley Stampeders is what the MJHL Showcase Weekend is all about.

The Pistons squeaked out a 4-3 overtime win in a thrilling conclusion to their weekend which would finish 2-0 and extended the teams winning streak to 3 games.

"I'll tell ya, more games like this one and I won't be around to see them" head coach Paul Dyck says with a laugh "what a great hockey game though and we were very happy to get the win."

The Pistons wanted to come out of the gate hot after a sluggish first period on Friday and they did going up 2-0 on goals by Brad Schoonbaert and Hayden Goderis. "The first period was exactly what we wanted" said Dyck, "we controlled the puck and we controlled they play. I think we out shot them 17-3 or close to that and even killing off those 3 penalties in the first 8 minutes, we didn't surrender much and were able to end the first with the lead."

A young and hungry Swan Valley squad was waiting for their opportunity to strike and when the Pistons came out for the second period and took their foot off the gas just a little, Swan struck for two goals of their own. 

Swan would strike again just 44 seconds into the third period and it would stay that way until with just 34 seconds left, Cole Smith would have a shot go off his leg and into the net knotting the game up at three. "During the time out, we just talked about playing a simple game. We were getting a little cute after the first and we knew that goal was going to need to be ugly." said Dyck after the game, "the shot from the point got through and that was huge. It's what needed to happen."

For the first time in this young season, the Pistons would head off to the 4 on 4 overtime where James Shearer would creep in from the point and fire a low shot that was saved by the Stampeders goalies Zac De Graves but a big rebound was there and Shearer who kept charging to the net after the initial shot, scooped up the loose puck and buried it into the yawning cage ending a thrilling, nail biting contest.

"Trust me, I didn't draw that play up." Dyck said with a smile "they were out there at the end of a shift, I know the forwards that were out there were at the end of the shift and Shearsy jumped into the seam in the middle of the ice and drove hard with the backhand and then followed it up for the rebound. It's something we practice, there are always pucks lying around after the goalie makes the save there's a good chance they puck will the laying around and he found the open cage."

Shots on goal finished 44-22 in favor of Steinbach and at times starting goalie Roman Bengert didn't see a lot of action. Dyck knows it can be difficult for a goalie going long stretches without seeing any pucks. "Players are adjusting to a game and any time a goalie faces only 3 shots in a period he maybe won't be as sharp heading into the second period. But he will learn from this, if it happens again, he'll know what to expect."

The Showcase Weekend is always great with all the teams in the same building, lots of players interacting with each other and with scouts from programs from all over North America and Dyck knows it's a great experience for everyone. "It's a terrific event. It's an opportunity as coaches to see the other clubs, for players to get exposure with Division 1 and Division 3, CIS schools are here. You get to see all 11 teams over two days and it was very well done here. Sometimes players can put pressure on themselves with a lot of black coats watching (scouts) but I think once they settle in, it's just another hockey game."

The Pistons power play clicked for the tying goal and finished 1 for 2 while the penalty kill finished 3 for 4. 

Steinbach's record improves to 3-1 and will meet Winkler for the third time this season in Winkler on Tuesday night before a return matchup against the Swan Valley Stampeders at home on Friday night.