For the first time in franchise history, the Steinbach Pistons are ANAVET Cup Champions after defeating the Nipawin Hawks 2-1 in game 6 and taking the series 4-2 at the TG Smith Centre.

The Pistons had a rocky first period but thanks to Brady Tatro, they were able to get the scoring started.

A nice forecheck by Luke Bellerose freed up the puck for Tatro who passed it to the point to the waiting stick of Mark Wilson. Wilson's shot was wide but Tatro corralled the loose disc and wrapped it around to give Steinbach a 1-0 lead less than four minutes in.

Pistons goalie Matthew Thiessen made sure that lead held up as the Altona native made 10 saves in the opening period, with a couple being real 10 bell type of saves including one in tight.

That lead held up into the second until the Hawks were able to knot it up as a shot from the point got through everyone in front and past Thiessen. Former Waywayseecappo Wolverine Wayde Johannesson was credited with the 1-1 goal.

Steinbach fought back in the third as Austin Heidemann kept a play alive along the boards and kicked it down low where a Hawks defender misplayed it because of the pressure from Drew Worrad who took the free puck and passed it out to a wide-open Bradley Schoonbaert who made no mistake scoring to make it 2-1 Pistons.

Steinbach clamped down defensively and was able to hold on to a 2-1 win and are ANAVET Cup Champions for the first time. 

The RBC Cup will be held in Chilliwack, BC starting on May the 12th. Steinbach's first game will be against the BCHL Champion Wenatchee Wild on Sunday at 2:00 pm.

Pistons forward Drew Worrad was named the ANAVET Cup MVP.