The Steinbach Pistons played three games over four days on the long weekend and after having their winning streak snapped on Friday, losing again on Saturday, they came back to win in overtime against the Winkler Flyers to clinch 3rd place in the MJHL.

Forgettable Friday Night

Steinbach rode in the Dauphin for back to back games vs the Kings riding high of a 7 game winning streak but the good times came to an end as Dauphin scored late in the third and won the game in overtime 2-1.

It was a sluggish first period for the Pistons. The Kings pushed the pace and seemed to be a step ahead in the opening minutes.

Strong goaltending from Matt Radomsky kept Steinbach in the game early as he stopped all 12 shots that came his way.

In the second, more strong goaltending kept it scoreless as at one point, Radomsky got all turned around in the crease but still managed to make a pad save, even while looking like he was down and out.

As the period was winding down, Tanner Mole walked out of the corner and drove to the net, scoring on the backhand to break the scoreless draw, pushing Steinbach ahead 1-0. For Mole, it was his 21st goal of the year and his line of Jack Kilroy and Tyson McConnell chipped in the assists.

Steinbach tried nursing the game to its end but with 1:15 left, Dauphin scored to tie the game 1-1.

In overtime, while on a power play, the Kings managed to get a shot through from the point that beat Radomsky and dealt Steinbach a taste of their own medicine of late, winning in overtime 2-1.

Radomsky battled hard all night long and held the fort while his team searched for offence. He finished the night with 44 saves.

The power play went 0-3 while the penalty kill surrendered the overtime goal but otherwise was perfect going 5-6.

Saturday Stumbles

Steinbach went into Saturday looking for redemption and came out with a better effort but the result was still the same as the night previous, a 2-1 Kings win, this time in regulation.

After a scoreless first, Dauphin cranked things up a notch, firing a total of 23 shots on goal, two of which made their way past Matt Lenz and into the net to grab a 2-0 lead.

The Pistons got one back before the period was out when Easton Bennett followed up a could of his own shots and eventually buried a rebound for his 10th of the year. Tyson McConnell picked up the assists on the power play goal.

Late in the third, the Pistons were searching for the equalizer when they were hit with two minor penalties in quick succession, ending any chance of a comeback. 

For the first time in the month, Steinbach had lost back to back games.

Lenz, like Radomsky the night before, deserved a better result as he was more than solid finishing with 40 saves.

The power play for Steinbach did get them on the board going 1-2 while the penalty kill again was called into action finishing 5-6 for a second straight night.

Overtime Magic Monday

An afternoon game between two rivals, not a bad Monday.

The Steinbach Pistons were not happy with their performance over the weekend and hoped for a better game on Monday. They got the result they wanted as they chalked up another overtime win 3-2 in front of over 1200 people at the TG Smith Centre, 3-2 over the Winkler Flyers.

There was an electric buzz in the building as the two rivals faced off in what felt like a playoff type atmosphere. Steinbach looking to clinch third place and get back on track after a couple of lack luster games while Winkler is in a dog fight with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines for the 8th and final playoff spot.

It was Winkler getting on the board first, scoring on a giveaway behind the Pistons goal just 40 seconds into the first period.

A stunned crowd was left silent through much of the opening 20 minutes of play.

Steinbach held the edge in the territory battle and managed 15 shots on goal but trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes.

The second period came and went with no scoring.

Midway through the third, Winkler capitalized when a Steinbach defenders stick exploded and were able to rush in and chip a puck over the shoulder of Matt Radomsky and in for a 2-0 lead.

Steinbach needed a jolt of energy and it came in the form of Caydin Cleland.

Cleland was the last player on the regular roster without a goal but that changed in big way as the Medicine Hat, Alberta defender went into the corner to win a loose puck and fired it on the net. It deflected off a Flyers stick and in for his first career MJHL goal.

"Well, it's an ugly one, but it's a good one." Cleland said with a big smile after the game. "It felt good. It got a spark going, so that's all I could ask for."

The comeback was complete when Declan Graham took a great pass while on the  power play and buried a perfect wrister for his second of the year, knotting up the game at 2-2 with only 2:10 left in the third. Easton Bennett and Riley Vautour had the assists on the goal.

Regulation came to an end so the Pistons were off to overtime for their 6th time in the past 9 games.

After Winkler held onto the puck for the majority of the 3 on 3 overtime, Steinbach's Boedey Vaeth along with Graham forced a turnover in the defensive zone. Bennett broke up the ice with Vaeth on a partial two on one. Bennett slid the pass over and Vaeth was able to direct the puck towards the goal. The Flyers goalie over played the shot and the puck was heading towards the goal line as Bennett (11) came in and shoveled it home for the 3-2 Pistons win. 

Radomsky held strong again making a number of big saves including a 2 on 0 break and a two on one later in the game as well. He finished the afternoon with 23 saves on 25 shots against.

The power play struggled going 1-7 while the penalty kill was perfect finishing 5-5.

With the win, the Pistons clinched 3rd place in the MJHL and will start the playoffs at home.

Coaches Notes

For head coach Paul Dyck, a win was great, but there was more he was searching for, outside of the two points. "First and foremost, we were looking for more of a complete effort. We had a shooters mentality early on and coulda come out with a two goal lead. An unfortunate bounce and we're down. The guys did stay with it and when we did score, we earned it."

It wasn't a perfect game, there were some issues that did creep up throughout and it's issues that have been a problem for Steinbach over the past number of games and it's mental mistakes. "The game isn't easy for us right now. We're in a bit of a funk whether it's working or our minds. We need to get back where work is just second nature. It's not clicking, we're not in sync and at times it's cause we're doing things individually, not using the linemates. Our plan is to get back to work in practice. Start making it second nature that when we step on the ice we work. When that comes, the rest of our game falls in line."

The power play is also something that hasn't really dangerous of late. "I don't know, it's been in a funk for some time. I don't know if it's as simple as saying 'this is what we need to do'. Seems like the guys don't have confidence there. It's a matter of simplifying things, get pucks to the net. It's a funny thing, one game you go 2 for 2 and you all of a sudden feel good. We need to be faster."

Family Day Skate

After the game, families and fans laced up the skates and hit the ice with the Pistons.

It's something that Dyck looks forward to each and every year. "It's terrific. There's a lot of kids out skating and it's a day we look forward to. Personally, it's one of my favorite days of the year."

Injury Update

Troy Williams left Saturday nights game vs Dauphin with a lower body injury and did not play Monday. He's believed to be day-to-day.

Doug Johnson left Monday's game after blocking a shot and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

Brendan Westbrook is recovering from a lower body injury and hopes to be ready for early March.

Up Next

The Steinbach Pistons head to Selkirk for the final time in the regular season. 

The game will be on MIX 96 and SteinbachOnline.com with the pre-game show at 7:15 pm and puck drop at 7:30 pm.