The two heated rivals got off to a fast start with a couple of chances on both sides before Luke Bellerose cashed in off a beautiful pass from Brendan Martin to make it 1-0 Steinbach. Tyson McConnell started the play at the Terriers blueline taking a hit to chip the puck to Martin who delayed around the Portage defender and then slid a pass to Bellerose who tapped in his third of the year.

The Pistons then had back to back penalty kills and managed to kill off both without surrendering anything major in the way of chances against.

The Pistons had their own man advantage late in the period but failed to capitalize. They did take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission also leading in shots 17-11.

In the second, the Terriers came out and looked to tie the game but a centring pass rolled off the stick of Ty Barnstable and was easily stopped by Radomsky, one his 8 saves in the period to keep it 1-0 Steinbach.

The Pistons got some insurance from Tanner Mole when a point shot deflected off the forward to make it 2-0 Pistons. Mole, who has been playing the best hockey of the season of late, has 7 goals on the year while Mark Wilson and Eason Bennett had the assists. 

The physical play ramped up a bit and Mole along with Bennett and Brady Tatro not only threw their weight around but were causing the Terrier's fits in their own zone with a hard forecheck. 

After the second period, Steinbach had a 2-0 lead.

The Terriers didn't go away and had a few chances in the third, most noticeably when a pass deflected over everyone and ticked off the crossbar yet managed to stay out. 

Steinbach continued to push the pace and earned a lot of high scoring opportunities but was turned away. The Pistons had the edge in shots 49-28.

Radomsky earned his 8th shutout of the year making all 28 saves on the night. He was spectacular on a couple of occasions frustrating Portage shooters with quick reflexes and keeping calm while pucks were in tight.

Special teams were the lone area where the Pistons didn't perform well as they finished 0-6 on the power play while they were perfect on the penalty kill 3-3. 

Coaches Notes

Paul Dyck was pleased with the way his team came out and handled what felt like a playoff game. "For the most part, we were on the right side of plies. There were a couple of situations in the first where I thought we weren't paying attention to details and we brought it up on the bench and guys responded."

Dyck also went on the praise his 18-year-old goalie who has done everything asked of him and it hasn't gone unnoticed or unappreciated both on and off the ice. "Rads has been a real solid citizen off the ice for us, he's highly involved in our community, he mentors a young boy and he does everything that epitomizes our program and what we ask from our boys. On the ice, he's been pushing. The way he's responded off a slower start of the season, it's been truly outstanding watching him play. 8 shutouts is a team record and has to be close to a league record. He kept us in there tonight, they had some really good looks. Got some help from his friend the crossbar, but sometimes you get that."

Matt Radominator 

Radomsky was understandably happy with his performance but the Winnipeg native is always hungry to keep improving. "I felt good tonight. After a couple of games off I felt fresh and I was ready to go. The guys were battling and I was just battling, trying to find pucks and do it for the boys."

With arguably his best performance of the year getting him his 8th shutout of the season, Radomsky has a record of 20-5-1 and trimmed down his goals against average to a sparkling 2.16 while increasing his save percentage to .912%. 

Puck handling has become a part of Radomsky's game and it's something he continues to work on. "Our coach Joey (Moggach) has been teaching us to come out and be patient with the puck, he's let our defenders know what do to do communicate with us and it makes a world of difference."

Up Next

The Final regular season game is Friday as the Pistons travel to meet the Winkler Flyers. The game will be on SteinbachOnline.com and Mix 96 with the pre-game show at 7:15 pm and puck drop at 7:30 pm.

Playoffs? Yes, We're Talkin' Bout' Playoffs!

With the standings (as far as the opening round for the Pistons is concerned) set now, the Pistons have a tentative starting date for their first-round series with the Swan Valley Stampeders. Coach Dyck stated after the game on Wednesday that the first game played in Steinbach will be March 9th which is a Friday. Game 2 could go as early as the next night but will officially be scheduled early in the week.

Round 1 

Swan Valley Stampeders @ Steinbach Pistons - Friday, March 9th @ 7:30 pm

Swan Valley Stampeders @ Steinbach Pistons - Saturday March 10th @ 7:30 pm *unconfirmed*

Steinbach Pistons @ Swan Valley Stampeders - TBD

Steinbach Pistons @ Swan Valley Stampeders - TBD

Swan Valley Stampeders @ Steinbach Pistons - TBD

Steinbach Pistons @ Swan Valley Stampeders - TBD

Swan Valley Stampeders @ Steinbach Pistons - TBD