The Steinbach Pistons went into Friday night's contest against the Neepawa Natives looking for a strangle hold on the series and came out searching for answers in what finished as a 5-1 loss on the road, leaving the best of 7 series tied at 2-2.

Steinbach came out strong in the opening minutes and collected a couple of chances but were turned away. Neepawa was given an early man advantage and they capitalized making it 1-0. 

Roman Bengert got the start and made the best save of his playoff career robbing the Natives who were gifted a point blank chance in the slot but Bengert reached out with the glove hand to take it away and keep the game within a goal. 

The Pistons couldn't gain any traction off the Bengert save as moments later, Neepawa scored again to make it 2-0.

Neepawa carried the play and made it 3-0 before Steinbach's Braden Purtill went in on a beautiful individual effort and got his team on the board with a coast to coast, power play goal. For Purtill it was his first of the post season. The goal was unassisted. 

The Natives held on, taking advantage of limited chances and ended up scoring a goal in each of the second and third periods to take the win 5-1.

Bengert did not come out for the third period as rookie Matt Radomsky saw his first action of the playoffs and first game action since returning from injury. He surrendered one goal on seven shots.

The power play of Steinbach finished 1-3 while the penalty kill was 4 for 5.

The Pistons will not have to wait long for an opportunity to bounce back as the two teams meet in Steinbach Saturday night for game 5. The pre-game show starts at 7:15 pm and the puck drops at 7:30 pm on Mix 96 and SteinbachOnline.com