The Steinbach Pistons made it three wins in a row as they defeated the rival Portage Terriers 6-2 on Wednesday night to cap off a successful three-game homestand which saw the Pistons win all three contests.

Anything You Can Do...

The first period was dominated on the scoreboard by the Pistons. More specifically, Brendan Martin and Tyson McConnell.

The scoring parade started early for Steinbach as Martin whipped through the neutral zone catching a Terriers defenseman flat-footed before cutting to the net and sliding the puck five-hole to make it 1-0 just 1:49 into the game. Tristan Culleton had the lone assist on the goal.

Just over four minutes later, the lead increased when the captain McConnell went to the net and deflected a Troy Williams wrist shot past Portage starter Nathan Moore to make it 2-0. Williams along with Boedey Vaeth picked up the helpers.

Martin and McConnell weren't done.

On a power play, after a Williams shot from the point was blocked, Brady Tatro found a loose puck in the slot, angled his body to block out a Terriers defender, protected the puck long enough to settle it down and then slid a perfect pass over the Martin who hammered home his second of the game and fifth of the season to make it 3-0. 

Not to be outdone, McConnell netted his second of the game when he went to the net looking for a rebound. He didn't find a rebound but did see the puck innocently sitting behind Moore and the Pilot Mound product put it to the back of the net to extend the lead 4-0.

Four goals on eight shots in the first 12:01 of the opening period.

The McConnell goal spelt the end of the night for Moore who was pulled in place of Miles Minor.

Tyson McHatrick

McConnells night was capped off when the 20-year-old finished off his hat-trick early in the second period.

On another power play, Williams got a shot through from the point. The original shot was stopped but McConnell got the rebound and buried it top shelf short side to make it 5-0.

For Williams, it was his third point of the night and for McConnell who came in with three goals on the year (two in the last game Sunday vs Winkler), he doubled up his total to six.

Portage was able to get one back quickly to cut the lead to 5-1.

It could have been a lot closer had it not been for the incredible goaltending of Matt Radomsky who was called upon to make several big saves as Portage began to crank it up in the minutes after scoring their goal.

After Radomsky held the fort, Steinbach pushed back and on yet another power play opportunity scored to put the game out of reach.

Brady Tatro tipped home a Williams shot from the slot to make it 6-1. Martin notched his third point of the night with an assist while Williams finished the night with 4 assists.

For Tatro, he now has scored in 5 consecutive games.

Portage made a small dent in the scoreboard as they picked up their second of the game with only 14 seconds left to make it 6-2.

Rookie forward Max Neil dropped the gloves for this first MJHL fight. Neil went toe-to-toe with Jack Tonnies as both players threw a couple punches before Neil scored the takedown.

Both Radomsky and Minor were perfect in the third period and the score never changed from the second period to the third and the Pistons collected their third straight win.

Radomsky picked up his third straight win as well finishing the night with 25 saves. 

The power play for Steinbach was good early and finished 3 for 7 while the penalty kill was a perfect 3 for 3.

Smilin' Willy

For defender Troy Williams, Wednesday nights game was special for a few different reasons.

He put up an impressive four assists (7 in his last two games) against his former team. Williams was traded in the summer back to Steinbach from Portage and Williams had this day circled for a while. "It's always nice to score but to do it against a team you used to play for is special," Williams said after the game.

Not only did he put up a big night in front of his former team, but he did so with his parents in attendance as well. "They watch me all the time but to have them here was great. Their support really means a lot."

Williams is 3rd amoung MJHL defencemen in points with 10 in 8 games.

Game Notes:

Defenceman Declan Graham served the first game of his three-game suspension. 

Tanner Mole (lower body) missed his third straight game.

Brady Tatro and Brendan Martin are tied for the team lead in points with 11.

Tyson McConnell has the lead in goals with 6.

Flying North

The Steinbach Pistons will be heading out on the road over the weekend. 

Friday and Saturday, they will be in OCN for a pair of battles with the Blizzard while Sunday will seem them take on the Swan Valley Stampeders.

All three games will be on MIX 96 and SteinbachOnline.com with Friday and Saturday's pre-game show starting at 6:45 pm, puck drops at 7:00 pm both nights.