After allowing the first goal of the night, the Steinbach Pistons put on a show scoring 5 unanswered goals on route to a 5-1 win over the Portage Terriers on Wednesday night.

The Pistons and the Terriers went back and forth through most of the first period with both teams getting a few chances, delivering a few hits but neither team finding the back of the net.

Steinbach was able to kill off a pair of penalties vs the MJHL's best man-advantage unit.

Portage scored with under a minute to go when they got a couple of gracious bounces before the puck eventually crossed the line to make it 1-0.

Less than 30 seconds after the goal, Steinbach responded after a nice rush and shot from Brendan Martin produced a rebound which found the stick of Brady Tatro who wired home his 10th of the year to tie it up 1-1. Tristan Culleton picked up the secondary assist.

The second period started with a bit of firework's as Pistons forward Marcel Berube dropped the gloves with Braden Billaney for a short but spirited tilt.

Both players were tossed from the game for fighting while Berube picked up an extra minor for instigating. Steinbach killed off the penalty.

The scoring parade started with less than 8 minutes remaining in the second and again, it was Boedey Vaeth scoring as he continues his torrid pace of late as he now has 7 goals on the year. Troy Williams and Tatro had the assists.

Under a minute later, a point shot from Culleton was tipped in front by the body of Tanner Mole to make it 3-1. Tyson McConnell got the secondary assist as it was his play behind the net, taking a big check, that produced the puck to the point for the Culleton shot.

Martin notched his team-leading 11th goal of the year later in the period as he and Vaeth went streaking in on a two on one, Martins pass over to Vaeth went off a Terriers skate and in to make it a 4-1 game.

Not much happened in the third until Steinbach was able to capitalize on a power play when Mole found a loose puck in the slot and rifled it home for his second of the night and 8th of the year. McConnell and Liam Anderson drew the assists.

Matt Radomsky continued his strong play in goal, most notably in the first period when he made 9 saves and finished with 24 overall on the night. While many shots were from the outside, Radomsky's excellent body position made sure there were no rebounds to be had.

Steinbach's power play finished 1-4 while the penalty kill was a perfect 5-5. Steinbach also dictated the shots on goal finishing with 43 on the night.

Terrific Tatro And Marvellous Mole

20-year-old Tatro continues to be one of the most consistent performers in the MJHL this season. He's put up strong numbers with 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 15 games. He's holding a three-point lead over linemate Brendan Martin for the MJHL's scoring lead.

The always humble Tatro was quick to pass around the praise after the game starting with the game-tying goal in the first. "Kudos to Marty, he made a great play there to get it started, " Tatro said after the game as he stood beside Tanner Mole (they interview as a team). "Marty's toe drag (around) the d-man, beautiful pass and my job was pretty easy at that point. I kind of whiffed on the first shot but was able to get the second."

A wanted team identity is to outwork other teams and that's something Tatro said is starting to happen consistently. "We come to the rink and we all want to outwork any team we play. Every guy wants to do it and I think we all can."

With the win, Steinbach grabs the top spot in the MJHL with 21 points through 15 games (10-4-1) but nobody's planning on stopping just yet, according to Tatro. "To be first is great. We have a target on our back for that but mentally for our team, it doesn't mean much. We won't change the way we play. We're on a bit of a streak there and we want to keep going."

Mole added he was asked several times if h, in fact, fact get a piece of the Culleton point shot on his first goal. "I sure did, it hit me right on the inside of the leg. Almost in a spot (where) I didn't wanna get hit, but it did hit me. I didn't want to ghost a goal."

Tatro quickly pointed out that celebrating a goal that wasn't his (ghosting a goal) isn't like Tanner. "Molesy's a great guy and I know he would never ghost a goal, so if he says it hit him, I believe him."

Up Next

Back to Portage. These two teams will meet in Portage Saturday night. The game will be on MIX 96 and SteinbachOnline.com with the pre-game show at 7:15. and puck drop 7:30 pm.