The Steinbach Pistons rookies defeated the Winnipeg Blues rookies 6-5 at the TG Smith Centre on Tuesday night.

The players in the game were born in either 2001,2002 and for the first time, the teams could have players born in 2003 play in the game.

After falling behind less than three minutes into the game, the Pistons rattled off four straight goals with markers from Brayden Clark, Carter Loney, Taggart Plouffe and Carter Bateman to take a 4-1 lead into the first intermission.

The Blues didn't back down and came out with some physical play in the second which was quickly matched by Steinbach. The lone goal in the period belonged to Winnipeg as they cut the lead to 4-2 heading into the final frame.

In the third, Steinbach's Kieran Thiessen scored just 22 seconds into the frame to push Steinbach's lead back to three goals making it a 5-2 game. 

After Winnipeg notched a goal to make it 5-3, the Pistons put it out of reach when Clark scored his second of the game from Logan Danis, again restoring Steinbach'sthree-goall lead, 6-3. For Danis, the assist was his third of the night as he led all Pistons rookies with three points.

Winnipeg scored a pair of goals with the goalie pulled and under a minute to play but that's as close as they would get as the horn sounded sealing Steinbach's 6-5 win.

Danis led the way in assists but helpers were also handed out to Conor Tyhy (2), Ethan Johnson, Ethan Clements and Carter Bateman.

Cole Oswald played all 60 minutes in goal for Steinbach and picked up the win.

Eye Opener

Head Coach Paul Dyck was impressed by the new class of kids coming up in the program. "I think it was great. First of all, the first year having the ability to play the 15-year-olds, made the game a lot younger then it was in the past year. We're thankful for those changes for sure. There were some guys that showed skill and speed. Some guys were on the bodies and it was a good showing. There's definitely some talent that we hope to be wearing Pistons uniform someday."

Two players hoping to make an impact this year are Brayden Clark and Max Neil, both catching the eye of the coach. "I think those guys led the way physically. They're both big, strong kids and they used it to their advantage. That's how they need to play. They have an edge to their game."

Welcome Back With Open Arms

Now that the rookie game is in the books, focus shifts to the veterans who have come back from various places across North America and will again call Steinbach home. For Dyck, it's always a great time seeing familiar faces. "It was great. Some guys I haven't seen in a while.8-10 guys were in last week but  Declan Graham, Brady Tatro came in a day or so ago. I know they're excited to start the defence of our title. We've got some new guys who I've been looking forward to seeing on the ice so it was nice to see them on the ice."

Sharp Dressed Man

It may have been a short summer but it didn't take Dyck long to get used to the shorts and golf shirt life of summer. "I had to knock the dust off the shoes, I noticed they may have not been worn in a while. It's good though, everyone's excited to be back in the rink. These games don't count yet but it's good to be back on the bench"