The Steinbach Pistons swept through the opening round while the Winnipeg Blues needed 6 games to dispatch the defending MJHL champions and now the two will lock horns starting Friday night in Steinbach.

The first place Pistons dominated the first three games of round one before knocking out the Swan Valley Stampeders in double overtime of game 4 thanks to Mark Taraschuk's overtime heroics. Depth was the story of the first four games as 12 different players scored goals including 3 from both Tanner Mole and Austin Heidemann. Drew Worrad leads all forwards in points with 6 while linemate Bradley Schoonbaert has contributed a solid 5 points in 4 games.

Players like Will Koop (1 goal, 4 assists) and Braden Purtill (2 goals, 1 assist) have both been difference makers on both sides of the puck in the opening round. Tyson McConnell continues to play stellar defensive-minded hockey, leading the way on the penalty kill and blocking shots. Riese Gaber, missed a game but is still showing off some impressive skills as he gets his first taste of MJHL playoff hockey. Daniel McKitrick who scored his second of the playoffs on the power-play has begun to return to the goal-scoring form that saw him pot 24 goals this season. Brendan Martin and Jack Johnson have both shown a knack for big goals and along with the likes of Mole, Luke Bellerose, Easton Bennett and Brady Tatro, makes the Steinbach Pistons offence deadly no matter who's out on the ice. 

All four lines have chipped in with some offence but also have been playing tight, few mistakes style defence. The wingers will have to be aware of the Blues forwards who like to hang out in the neutral zone and look for stretch passes to utilize their speed. The Pistons forwards should look to dump pucks into corners and send one guy in to dig while having another forward support while the third man drives the net and makes the life of Jeremy Link miserable. 

Forward to watch: Tyson McConnell

On the blueline, Mark Taraschuk is having a statement playoff run so far. The Winnipeg native has put up impressive numbers with 2 goals and 6 assists for a team-leading 8 points. Darby Gula and Declan Graham have both taken major steps from where they were this time next year and they will need to continue to grow as the bigger, harder checking Winnipeg forwards will look to pin them below the goal line.

Mark Wilson who missed a game with an upper-body injury is expected to be in the lineup and add some much needed veteran presence to the blueline and the penalty kill as well. Jaret Lalli, who was playing his best hockey of the season before getting nicked up, was forced to miss games 3 and 4 vs the Stamps but is expected to be fully ready to go for game 1 Friday night. 

Rookie blueliners Tristan Culleton, Jack Lenchyshyn and Curtis Ireland displayed some growing pains in the first round, especially with the forecheck of the bigger Swan forwards. All three got a first-hand look at what it takes to win in the playoffs, especially during the overtimes of game 4. Coach Paul Dyck noted after that game 4 that the first year blueliners will be much better off after experiencing that game from the bench as opposed to the press-box. Look for whoever draws into the lineup for game 1 to play much more like they did during the season.

Defender to watch: Jaret Lalli

Goaltending has been an embarrassment of riches for the Pistons and that continued into round 1 and will need to continue heading into round 2. Matthew Thiessen posted a 2-0 record with 2 shutouts while Matt Radomsky battled hard and despite giving up 4-second period goals in game 4, responded with some of the biggest saves of the season to give his team a chance to win the game in overtime. It's unclear what the Pistons staff has planned as far as a possible goalie rotation like they had in round 1 or if they go with an assigned starter for more then one game. Either way, both Thiessen and Radomsky have full confidence from the guys in front of them.

Goalie(s) to watch: Matthew Thiessen and Matt Radomsky (look at the numbers all year long, how do you not watch both?)

The power play finally got going in game 4 cashing in twice. The power play is now 2 for 14 for 14.3%. While the power play has room to improve, the penalty kill has been simply perfect. The Pistons have taken 16 penalty's and killed off all 16. Steinbach will need to find a way to cash in on man advantages and will need that penalty kill to continue to be excellent as the Blues boast a power play that went 6 for 25 for 24% vs the Terriers.

Fun Fact: Every member of the Pistons roster has gotten into at least one game so far this playoff run. 

The Winnipeg Blues are coming in hot after dispatching of the three-time defending MJHL champion Portage Terriers in 6 games. Three of the 6 games needed overtime to decide a winner, including game 6 which saw a back and forth affair ended when Nathan Hillis ripped home the game-winner.

Blues forwards have really stepped up as the regular season came to a close and continued their hot streak as the playoffs started. MJHL MVP Dexter Kuzek gets a lot of the attention and rightfully so as the 20-year-old put up 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists) in the 6 playoff games. Fellow forwards Brady Castellano (10 pts), Devon Skoleski (8 pts), Levi Cudmore (5 pts) and Dale Goodbrandson (5 pts) are showing that the Blues also can boast impressive scoring depth. 

Forward to watch: Devon Skoleski

The blueline for Winnipeg proved that they can bend without breaking as they withstood the skilled forwards of the Terriers by moving pucks quickly out of their own zone, whether it was by passing or by using their speed. Brendan Bartlett is the anchor of a young d-core and has put up good offensive numbers (1 goals, 3 assists) while playing against the other team's tops players. The bid bodies of Nic Cicek and Dylan Cassie have also shown they are not afraid to work in the corners and come away with pucks while also having the ability to lead rushes. Look for the first-year defender Micheal Ladyman to take a step after getting through his first MJHL playoff round.

Defender to watch: Micheal Ladyman

Goaltending might have been the story for Winnipeg in round 1 as Jeremy Link was sensational. He sports a GAA of 2.72 while only allowing 18 goals against the potent Portage lineup. Link may be the smallest starting goalie left in the MJHL playoffs but his athletic ability and willingness to fight through traffic in front always gives him a fighting chance to stop any puck. 

FULL SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1 – Blues @ Pistons – Friday, March 23 – 7:30 pm

Game 2 –  Pistons @ Blues – Sunday, March 25 – 6:30 pm

Game 3 – Blues @ Pistons – Tuesday, March 27 – 7:30 pm

Game 4 – Pistons @ Blues – Thursday, March 29 – 7:00 pm **

Game 5 – Blues @ Pistons – Saturday, March 31 – 7:30 pm **

Game 6 – Pistons @ Blues – Sunday, April 1 – 6:30 pm **

Game 7 – Blues @ Pistons – Tuesday, April 3 – 7:30 pm **

** If necessary