The Steinbach Pistons exploded for 5 goals in the third period on route to an 8-2 win over the Portage Terriers in Portage Wednesday night extending their winning streak to 7 straight games.

Steinbach got on the board early as Austin Heidemann scored just 1:32 into the game. Heidemann's centring pass hit off a Terrier defender and went right back to the rookie who tucked home his 19th of the year. Bradley Schoonbaert had the lone assist on the 1-0 goal.

Both teams were flying early and after trading a couple chances, the Terriers were able to tie the game on a James McIssac power-play goal. 

It took only 12 seconds for the Pistons to get the lead back as Easton Bennett continued his torrid pace scoring his 10th goal to make it 2-1 Steinbach. Bennett has 5 goals over his 5 games. Darby Gula had the assist on the goal that ended the night for Portage starter Lasse Peterson. Brock Aiken took over the rest of the period and the game.

In the second, Steinbach started to take over with puck control and offensive zone time. They directed shots to the net and had a couple of big chances in close as Jack Johnson, Bradley Schoonbaert and Brenden Martin were inches away from finding the back of the net just to be turned away.

Riese Gaber would not be denied as he chipped a puck over Aiken for his 20th goal of the year pushing Steinbach's lead to 3-1 with less than 5 minutes remaining in the second period. Brendan Martin, fresh off being named the MJHL Player of the Week had one assist while Gula collected his second point of the night. 

A quick response from Portage cut the celebration short as a point shot from Kain Stevenson alluded Matthew Thiessen and Portage was within a goal heading into the second intermission, 3-2. 

Both teams continued to show off impressive speed and both teams traded chances until Tyson McConnell converted on the power-play restoring Steinbach's two-goal lead, 4-2. Schoonbaert had another assist as Drew Worrad also hit the score sheet with an assist on the goal.

The scoring party continued when Luke Bellerose scored his first as a Steinbach Piston making it a 5-2 hockey game. Mark Taraschuk had the lone helper. 

The Pistons cranked it up another notch in the back half and pushed the accelerator scoring three times in just over six minutes.

Worrad (19) cashed in after being sprung on a breakaway off a perfect pass from Schoonbaert to make it 6-2. Heidemann capped off a solid two-point night picking up an assist on the goal. 

Daniel McKitrick was buzzing all game long using his speed to create chances and was finally able to top shelf over the shoulder of Aiken for his 20th of the year. Jack Johnson and Will Koop had the assists on the 7-2 marker.

McConnell finished the scoring for the evening with his second of the game and 19th of the year from Gula and Schoonbaert who picked up their third and fourth points respectively. 

The horn sounded and the Pistons skated away with a convincing 8-2 win.

Matthew Thiessen picked up the win making 18 saves on the night. The power-play clicked 2 times in 8 chances while the penalty kill finished 2 for 3.

The Pistons also held the edge in shots 38-20 including outshooting Portage in the second period 15-4.

It's Not About How Many, But How

Pistons head coach Paul Dyck knows a game is not always dictated by the result but by how a team plays and he was more than satisfied with the way his team played on Wednesday night. "I liked our effort again," Dyck said from outside the locker-room after the game. " We've been playing well here. All four lines are going and I thought we got off to a better start tonight. We don't often look at the score, sometimes you lose games you're really happy with and tonight is one of those games we happen to win by a larger margin but we were happy with the 60-minute effort."

It wasn't just the effort that had the coach pleased, but the response and push back his team showed throughout on the scoreboard and in the hitting department. "It's something we haven't done so well in this building this year (answering back). When they scored the tieing goal and we were able to come right back, I really liked what Benny's (Easton Bennett) line did there and I think the guys came here determined to chalk up a W, it looked like the guys were into it right from the building."

In a building that has not been kind to Steinbach over the past couple of years including this one, Dyck knows that it was an important win for the mentality as it was getting points in the standings. "We needed this one here tonight. To go 0-2 in this building at this stage of the year, the guys needed it. It's good to get this one and a good feeling moving forward."

Instant Impact

Fans, teammates and opponents were unsure of what to expect when the Pistons brought in 20-year-old forward Luke Bellerose at the trade deadline.

In his first 4 games with Steinbach, he's made quite the impression already both on the scoresheet putting together a 4 game point streak and physically with some bone-jarring hits. 

Bellerose picked up his first career MJHL goal on Wednesday to go along with the 4 assists he already piled up. "It was a pretty great feeling getting that first one outa the way," Bellerose said post-game. "I hope it's the first of many here with the Pistons organization."

Coming to a new community, a new team and a new system can be an adjustment for any player but Bellerose has fit in seamlessly and has been enjoying every minute of it. "It's been awesome so far with all these guys. It's a super inviting atmosphere and it's made the transition a lot easier, that's for sure."

New to the Pistons vs Terriers rivalry, it didn't take long for Bellerose to know that these games are extra special. "I haven't played them yet this year but I know it's the first win for the Pistons this year so it's nice to get that one here."

Up Next

A tough road game awaits on Saturday night when the Pistons head to Winnipeg for a date with the red-hot Blues. The Blues are coming off a shootout win on January 28th against the OCN Blizzard giving them 3 wins in a row as they continue to fight their way up the standings, currently tied with Selkirk for 7th with 52 points. 

Dyck knows his team will have to be ready for a desperate hockey team Saturday night. "We have to continue to focus on what we do well and build. Our message is getting better every day and that's the approach on Saturday. They have a really good home record and usually, it's a tough building. They have momentum and they're making a push. They added some guys and it's not going to be an easy test either."

Stat Attack

Bradley Schoonbaert's assist on McConnell's power-play goal puts Schoonbaert into 2nd place all-time for Pistons in power play assists. Daniel Talliefer is currently in the first spot.

Steinbach has 5 players with at least 20 goals this year. Schoonbaert (30), Braden Purtill (24), Will Koop (21), Daniel McKitrick (20) and Riese Gaber (20). Also, 3 players sitting at 19 in Drew Worrad, Austin Heidemann and Tyson McConnell.

Schoonbaert's 4 assists on Wednesday night gives him 44 this year which is an MJHL best. Worrad (42), Gula (41) and Purtill (32) round out the 4 Pistons in the top 10 in assists league-wide.

Matthew Thiessen improved his Goals Against Average to an MJHL best 2.00 and a sparkling Save Percentage of .924 also best currently in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Thiessen is 22-3 with 2 shutouts this year.

Going Streaking

Several Pistons will take point streaks into Saturday night's contest.

Drew Worrad - 11 games (5 goals, 16 assists)

Austin Heidemann - 8 games (3 goals, 9 assists)

Bradley Schoonbaert - 7 games (5 goals, 8 assists)

Daniel McKitrick - 6 games (3 goals, 5 assists)

Will Koop - 4 games (3 goals, 3 assists)

Luke Bellerose - 4 games (1 goal, 4 assists)

Jack Johnson - 4 games (5 assists)

Brendan Martin - 4 games (6 goals, 2 assists)

Matt Radomsky - 8 straight wins, 5 shutouts

Matthew Thiessen - 4 straight wins