Daniel McKitrick had two goals while Matthew Thiessen made 17 saves in the Steinbach Pistons 4-0 win over the Swan Valley Stampeders at the MJHL Showcase on Tuesday.

The Pistons came out flying in the first period. McKitrick had the best chance on a breakaway but was turned away by the Stamps goalie. After 20 minutes of play, the Pistons led in shots 15-4 but neither team scored.

In the second period, it took just 13 seconds for the Pistons to get on the board when Austin Heidemann notched his 15th of the year to make it 1-0. Darby Gula and Declan Graham had the assists.

Swan had their chances in the middle period but were turned away by the steady play of Thiessen. One of their best chances came on a two on one where Thiessen slid across and squeezed the puck between his pads negating a goal. 

The Stampeders also had a 5 on 3 opportunity for 1:29 seconds. The group of Tyson McConnell, Mark Taraschuk and Mark Wilson didn't break and were able to kill off the two-man advantage.

McKitrick, who was stopped on a clear break earlier in the game, wouldn't be denied a second or third time as he scored back to back to make it 3-0 Pistons. Will Koop and Braden Purtill assisted on the first, while Purtill notched his second point of the night on the second McKitrick goal.

In the third, Mark Taraschuk picked up his 7th on the season with a wrister from the point to push the lead to 4-0. Jack Johnson and McConnell had the assists on the final goal of the game.

With the 4-0 win, Thiessen now has 15 wins on the year and 2nd shutout.

The power play finished 0-1 while the penalty kill was strong finishing 3-3.

Coaches Notes

Assistant coach Joey Moggach was pleased with his team's 60-minute effort. "I thought it was a complete game for us. I thought everyone worked hard from start to finish. From our goalie out to the forwards, I was very happy with our effort. Maybe a little-added motivation with the extra eyes with this showcase but that's good. We've shown what we are capable of and we met those expectations. We just need to keep playing this way and move forward."

A big turning point in the game was the 5 on 3 penalty kill and Moggach credits the team willing to get into shooting lanes and pay the price. "It's huge, it really is. It's a matter of consistently committing to it. We love to see that from our team and they still commit to blocking shots. We've had games where we've been up and you could say we didn't need to get down for a block, but they do. We love to see that as a coaching staff. It makes a big difference as we go down the road to the playoffs. The guys are great and love sacrificing for their teammates. 

Up Next

The Pistons wrap up their part of the MJHL Showcase with a 3:00 pm game against the Dauphin Kings.

They are set to return home Saturday night against the Virden Oil Capitals (game on Mix 96 and SteinbachOnline.com) and Sunday vs the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.

The Pistons head out on the road December 21st for a game in Virden which will be their last before the Christmas break.

Games resume on the 30th.