Three goals in the first period helped propel the Steinbach Pistons over the Winnipeg Blues 4-2 on Saturday night.

For a second straight game, the Pistons had to start an emergency goaltender. 20-year-old Evan Van Laeken got the call. Van Laeken did spend some time with the OCN Blizzard earlier this year, but lately he's been tending goal for the Charleswood Hawks of the MMJHL.

Much like the night before, Steinbach gave their goalie a lead early in the first period.

While on a power play, the puck was whipped around the Blues zone. Captain Zac Patrick walked the blueline, found a lane and fired a puck through traffic and in for his 8th of the season. Davin Griffin, who provided an excellent screen in front picked up one assist while Quinton Pepper started his strong night off with a helper as well.

Davis Fry had a pair of glorious chances to grow the lead but was turned away.

Fry stuck with it, didn't get frustrated and was rewarded with his 11th of the season, converting off a beautiful pass from Griffin to make it 2-0. 

Steinbach continued to pour it on and expanded the lead to 3-0. Patrick fired a shot from the half-wall that squeaked through the goalie but didn't quite have enough to get over the line. However, Pepper was right there to jam it home for his 26th of the year. Zach Power also picked up an assist.

Shots were heavily in favor of the Pistons after 20 minutes of play, putting 18 on the Blues net while only allowing 4.

The lead would increase to 4-0 thanks again to Pepper, who fired a seeing eye shot from the point for his 27th goal. Power and Jackson Betcher picked up the helpers on the marker.

Steinbach kind of took their foot off the gas after the goal and both teams just went through the motions over the rest of the second period.

There was a moment in the second where it looked as though Steinbach had added to their lead. A dump in from the red line bounced on the Winnipeg goal and appeared to beat the Blues goalie. The problem was the official was not in a position to determine the puck had fully crossed the line. While spectators would say the puck was clearly in, the goal didn't count and it remained 4-2.

Van Laeken was tested more in the middle period than he was in the first. Winnipeg managed 7 shots in the second, all stopped by Van Laeken.

Early in the third, the Blues finally manged to get on the scoreboard, scoring twice within the first two minutes of the third.

A key penalty kill and some timely saves by Van Laeken, kept Steinbach leading the game. Steinbach was able to get the game back under control and calmed things down, slowly killing any momentum the Blues had earned by the two goals.

With the game flattening out, Eduard Wruck picked things up and he dropped the gloves with Jaden Ostrowski. Both players got a few shots in and when done, patted each other on the back, in a mutual showing of respect.

Both players were given 5 minute majors and game misconducts. 

That was the final highlight of the game as time ran out on the Blues and Steinbach extended their winning streak 8 straight games. 

Van Laeken finished with 19 saves for his first win. Steinbach's power play was 1-5 while the penalty kill was perfect yet again, going 3-3.

Another mid-week game awaits as the Winnipeg Freeze come to Steinbach on Wednesday. With a Pistons win, they will clinch 1st place in the East Division.