The Steinbach Pistons fired 50 shots in each of their weekend games, losing one and winning one in their final contestants before the Christmas break.

Unbreakable-Link

Steinbach put up 50 shots on Friday night but the Winnipeg Blues, thanks in large part to goaltender Jeremy Link were able to sneak out a 4-2 victory at Bell MTS Iceplex.

Despite Steinbach putting up a number of shots in the first minutes of the opening period, it was the Blues that capitalized on a turnover in the defensive zone and jumped out in front 1-0.

In the final minute of the period, with Steinbach on a power play, Troy Williams fired a seeing-eye wrist shot that made it's way through traffic and past Link to tie up the game 1-1. For Williams, it's goal number 5 on the year with Tanner Mole and Tyson McConnell picking up the assists.

In the second, Winnipeg's power-play responded to make it 2-1 for the Blues.

Forward Max Neil appeared to tie the game midway through the th

After putting up 20 shots in the opening period, the Pistons put up another 19 in the second, yet still trailed after 40 minutes 2-1.

The Blues increased their lead on another power-play to build a 3-1 advantage.

Steinbach didn't quit and cranked up the pressure.

With the net empty, Tanner Mole whacked home a loose puck in the crease for his second point of the night on his 14th goal of the year. Brendan Westbrook had the lone assist on the marker that brought Steinbach to within one.

The Pistons had a chance to tie it up seconds later as Tyson McConnell was sprung on a breakaway but fired the shot high.

Winnipeg would hold on and fire the puck the length of the ice and into the open net to seal the game 4-2.

Steinbach's power play finished 1-5 while the penalty kill took a hit going 3-5.

Matt Radomsky finished the night with around 28 stops. It was Radomsky's first start back with the Pistons after returning from the World Junior A Challenge where he backstopped Team Canada West to a Bronze Medal.

Paul Dyck spoke after the game and while obviously, he didn't like the result, he said it wasn't for lack of effort. "I thought we worked hard tonight. When you put up 50 plus shots and the score doesn't go your way, it's going to be frustrating but I thought we were the harder working team which is a real positive to take away."

Nail Biter Saturday Night

The Pistons were back in action on Saturday night and scored with under two minutes to go in a tie contest to grab a 4-3 victory over the Selkirk Steelers.

Steinbach managed to score the opening goal less than three minutes into the game. 

During a penalty kill, Troy Williams fired the puck out of the zone towards the Pistons bench. The puck took a strange deflection and stayed in play for Tanner Mole who raced in all alone and buried his second goal in as many games and his 15th of the year to make it 1-0.

In the second, Steinbach struck again, this time on the power play as Tyson McConnell fired home his 15th of the year to make it 2-1. Tanner Mole and Brendan Westbrook had the assists.

Selkirk was able to get one goal back to cut the lead to 2-1 but Brendan Westbrook scored a wacky goal to restore the two-goal lead.

On another man advantage, a battle in the slot produced a loose puck which Westbrook turned and fired towards the net. The shot was hit and went over top the cage hitting the glass behind the net and coming right back out in front, deflecting off the Steelers goalie and in for one of the strangest goals of the year.

In the third period, Selkirk battled back to even the game 3-3.

As time ticked down and overtime loomed, the line of Westbrook, Mole and McConnell would connect again as Westbrook notched his second of the game from Mole and McConnell to give Steinbach a 4-3 lead with only 1:28 remaining in regulation.

Matt Radomsky and the Pistons defenders locked it down the rest of the way and secured a big two points with a 4-3 win. 

Radomsky finished with 24 saves including a number of big stops at key moments to pick up the win.

The power play finished 2-5 while the penalty kill would go a strong 6-7.

Up Next

The enitre MJHL has a few days off during the holiday's. Play will resume on Wednesday January 2nd as Steinbach heads off to visit the Neepawa Natives.