The Steinbach Pistons fell out of first place on Friday night after losing to the Winkler Flyers 6-2 in Winkler.

The Pistons were coming off arguably their worst performance of the year but came out strong against the Flyers controlling the better part of the play through the opening half of the period.

Steinbach would get on the board first when Darby Gula (6) scored on the power play from Braden Purtill and Drew Worrad.

A tough turnover late in the first gifted the Flyers the tying goal off the stick of Coltyn Bates and the period ended in a 1-1 tie.

In the second period, it was a terrible bounce that gave Winkler the go-ahead goal and the momentum in the period.

As the Flyers were shorthanded, Garrett Kuklica just fired the puck in from the blueline and as it hit the end boards, it jetted right out in front of the net and hit the back of goalie Matt Radomsky's skate and into the net for a 2-1 Flyers lead.

The penalty kill then was pushed to the limits and allowed a pair of goals in the period, one from Flyers captain Nolan McGuire and another from Brady Pupp. The period was controlled by Winkler and ended with the home team up 4-1.

In the final period, a Winkler point shot deflected off the body of Matt Christian and past Radomsky to make it 5-1 Flyers.

The Pistons would take a step closer to coming back when Austin Heidemann (10) scored on a loose puck in front of the net to cut the lead in half. Tyson McConnell and Gula had the helpers.

Another deflection from the Flyers gave them the momentum right back when Micheal Redmon scored his first in the MJHL to push the lead to 6-2.

A late power-play goal from McConnell (10) made the score 6-3. Purtill and Worrad added the assists on the final goal of the game.

It was a tough night for Radomsky who can't be faulted for a number of goals that found their way to the back of the net as he did make 24 saves on the night.

The power play finished 2-6 and the penalty kill went 4-6.

The Pistons will take on the Portage Terriers on Sunday night in Portage.