The Steinbach Pistons had a number of goals for the 2017-2018 MJHL season and on Friday night, they achieved one, hitting the 100 point mark for the first time in franchise history after defeating the Winkler Flyers 4-2 in Winkler.

After an extended ceremony to start the game, the Pistons were able to get their legs into the game as the opening period didn't see it's first whistle until almost five minutes into the contest.

At the midway point, the Pistons got on the board when Austin Heidemann (23) cashed in on the power play. Tyson McConnell and Bradley Schoonbaert had the assists. 

Matthew Thiessen got the start for Steinbach and although only faced 10 shots in the first, he had to make a couple of tricky saves including a deflection that he was able to stop with the right pad.

Heidemann and Thiessen combined to give Steinbach a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second, Jaret Lalli kept a puck in at the blueline and as he dumped it into the corner, the line of Brady Tatro, Tanner Mole and Easton Bennett went to work. Good work down low resulted in a loose puck that Bennett found and passed it out to Tatro who was stopped on the first shot but not the second as he celebrated his 19th goal of the year to make it 2-0 Steinbach.

In the third, penalty trouble for the Pistons cropped up and while down two men, the Flyers got on the board as a rocket from the point by Mitch Dyck cut the lead to 2-1.

The Flyers continued to push and Everett Bestland was in the right place at the right time as the Pistons got caught puck watching and left Bestland alone in front as he tied the game 2-2.

With things tilting towards the Flyers, coach Paul Dyck put out a line of Brendan Martin, Jack Johnson and Luke Bellerose and the trio spent almost a minute in the Flyers zone, turning the Flyers defenders several times and making it almost impossible for them to get out of their zone. 

It was just the shift the Pistons needed.

On another man advantage, it was Heidemann again as he converted his 24th goal of the year to restore the Pistons lead, 3-2. Schoonbaert and McConnell again had the assists on the power play goal.

With Winkler pushing to tie the game and despite having two goals on the night, Heidemann saved his best shift for last.

The Flyers net was empty giving the Flyers a 6 on 5, Heidemann rushed out to cut off the Flyers defender and got a piece of the shot from the point, the puck went towards the boards and Heidemann raced onto it, took a hard hit and was knocked down. That didn't stop the rookie from Maple Grove, Minnesota, as he directed the puck to teammate Jack Johnson who used impressive speed to pull away from the Flyers defender and slid the puck into the empty net for his 13th of the year, sealing the deal in a Pistons 4-2 win.

Matthew Thiessen was stellar making 23 saves on the night for his 28th victory of the year. Thiessen ends the regular season with the best numbers of any MJHL goalie, 28-3, GAA 2.06 and SV%.923 and 2 shutouts.

The Steinbach power play went 2-7 while the penalty kill was solid finishing 6-7.

Franchise Best

Last season, the Pistons were close to the century mark. This year they would not be denied and for the first time in team history, the Steinbach Pistons finished with 100 points.

Graham Pollock, who's been with the team for 10 years, looked back and remembered a very different time. "I remember thinking it would be nice to make the playoffs, let alone finish first or get 100 points," Pollock said with a laugh. "It's a great achievement for the program. We wanted to build something special here and we have. We have great players but also great people. The work they do in the community and who they are as young men will go a long way in later life."

Paul Dyck echoed similar sentiments but also is already looking ahead to what comes next. "It's a great achievement for sure. Not many teams hit the 100 point mark. Now, it's time to focus on next Friday and Swan Valley. We will have to be ready. We'll take a couple days off here and get ready to go back to work at practice on Monday."

Coaches Notes

Dyck saw a lot of positives in a game where his team carried the pace for most but there are still some areas he'd like to focus on heading into round 1 Friday night. "I thought we played fast, we played with pace but to start the second and half of the third, I thought we let off a bit. They were able to catch us standing still a bit but for the most part, I really liked our game tonight, really liked our effort especially in the D zone. We were generating offence by dumping pucks in and keeping things simple."

Jaret Lalli had one assist but maybe played his most complete game of the season and it didn't go unnoticed by the coach. "He's peaking at the right time," Dyck said with a laugh. "His confidence is up there and you watch the way he skates with the puck, he's trusting what he's able to do. He's making the smart play and keeping the pucks out of dangerous areas. He's really come on here of late and played extremely well."

Rookie Record

Austin Heidemann's 3 point night has set a new Pistons record for a first-year player with 58. Heidemann is happy but more impressed by what the team was able to do. "The record is great but I think hitting 100 points is even more special. To do it in 60 games is really an accomplishment."

Heidemann also takes a lot of pride in being a guy that coach Dyck trusts. "It means the world. He's a great guy, look at what he's able to do with all the Division 1 commitments, he's really putting Steinbach on the map."

Up Next: Playoffs! 

Round 1

Game 1: Friday, March 9th - Swan Valley @ Steinbach - TG Smith @ 7:30 pm

Game 2: Saturday, March 10th - Swan Valley @ Steinbach - TG Smith @7:30 pm

Game 3: Tuesday, March 13th - Steinbach @ Swan Valley - 7:30 pm

Game 4: Wednesday, March 14th - Steainbach @ Swan Valley - 7:30 pm

All Pistons playoff games will be on Mix 96 and SteinbachOnline.com