The Steinbach Pistons continued their recent hot streak scoring 10 goals on the road for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Neepawa Natives 10-1 on Sunday night.

Drew Worrad, who was held goalless on Saturday night against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, got on the board early and often in the first period scoring two goals in the first 1:34 of the game.

The first came on a wraparound after a good shift in the Natives zone resulted in a 1-0 lead. Brendan Martin had the lone assist on Worrad's first goal of the game. 

Just 34 seconds later, Worrad struck again as the top line continued to apply pressure and it gave the Pistons a 2-0 early. Will Koop and Bradley Schoonbaert had the helpers.

The Natives didn't go away and managed to cut the lead as Justin Metcalf scored making it 2-1. The period came to an end with that score.

In the second, the Pistons got another quick goal to start the frame when Schoonbaert (15) cashed in to make it 3-1. Worrad had the lone assist.

Metcalf would cut the lead again with his second of the game as he found the back of the net on the power play to make it 3-2.

The momentum didn't last for the Natives as Martin (3) scored his second goal in as many games 23 seconds after the Metcalf goal to restore the Pistons two-goal lead 4-2. Braden Purtill had the assist. 

Drew Worrad capped off his night with his third goal of the game giving the pride of Birr, Ontario his first hattrick in the MJHL. Schoonbaet and Koop had the assists on the 5-2 goal. Worrad now has 8 goals in 7 games played this season.

Jack Johnson finished off the scoring in the period as he took the puck through the neutral zone, going in on a three on one rush, faking the pass before putting a perfect wrist shot top shelf for his 6th goal of the year making it 6-2 Steinbach.

In the third, a goalie change for the Natives gave them a little momentum as a weird bounce resulted in a Neepawa goal from Braden Binda on the power play to make it a 6-3 hockey game.

Steinbach would get that goal right back when Tyson McConnell scored his first of two on the night as the lead swelled to 7-3. Austin Heidemann had the assist.

The scoring continued as Daniel McKitrick (6) scored in his second straight game with Steinbach from Martin and Purtill.

Koop then took a loose puck in the offensive zone and buried his 6th of the year, unassisted to make it 9-1.

The final goal of the game came off the stick of McConnell who, after going in on a shorthanded breakaway was hooked and then awarded a penalty shot. McConnell made no mistake for his second of the game and 8th goal of the year, making it 10-3 Pistons.

Matthew Thiessen picked up the win making 28 saves on the night. The power play went 0-9 while the penalty kill was 4-6. Steinbach had the edge in shots 51-31.

Coaches Comments

Assistant coach Joey Moggach saw a lot of positives in the game away from the goal scoring. "I thought we did a lot of the little things right tonight," Moggach said after the game. "The goals are nice. I don't expect us to do that every single night. I'm glad to see the guys play the right way and do the little things to generate offence. Little things, getting pucks in and making hits. It comes back to the little things. That's probably what I'm most proud of, not necessarily the goals but the way we played."

Moggach also was very impressed with the play of a couple of forwards starting with Drew Worrad. "He's awesome. He's so creative night in and night out. He wow's you with the things he can do. So much skill, so much vision, it's a pleasure to watch.

Also standing out was Tyson McConnell who is affectionally known around the team as "Kernel", who got two goals, played big penalty kill minutes and again led the team with double-digit blocked shots. "Kernel is awesome," Moggach said with a smile, "the guys really love him. He's the kinda guy that'll do that, he'll block shots, take a hit to make the play, he'll do all the things in the game for the team to have success and it's great for him to have individual success as a result. He made a nice move on the breakaway with a shorthanded penalty shot. Everyone pulls for him cause he's such a great guy, so it's good to see."

Road Revenge

After being defeated by Neepawa earlier in the month, McConnell knows it was nice to answer back with a strong game. "I thought we played well tonight right from the get-go. Wordsey (Drew Worrad) got us going with two on the first shift there and after a start like that, we just kept going. We had a bit of a lapse there but were able to get it rolling again and never look back."

McConnell has 6 goals in his first 15 games this year coming off 13 goals in 60 games last season. He credits his mentality to his recent scoring success. "I just try and keep the same things going. Pucks have been finding me lately but I just want to keep working hard."

On The Horizon

The Pistons visit the Waywayseecappo Wolverines on Saturday night in the first of back to back games against the Wolverines. Steinbach returns home Wednesday, November 8th as they play host to the Winnipeg Blues.

Fun Stats

10 goals are the most scored in a road game for the team. The previous record was 9 which was done three times.

Steinbach has scored 89 goals so far this season and is on pace for 333 this season. The most goals scored as a team was in 2015/16 with 251.

The 4 goals scored in the third period were the fastest goal goals in team history. It took 3:28 to score the 4 goals. The previous record was 4 goals in 3:39.

The Pistons have 4 players in the top 10 in MJHL scoring. Bradley Schoonbaert (1st- 33 points), Braden Purtill (T4th- 26), Will Koop (7th- 21) and Darby Gula (9th- 20).

Drew Worrad leads the league in points per game average at 2.14 after scoring 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points in 7 games.