It was a packed house at the TG Smith Centre on Wednesday night but fans couldn't help the Steinbach Pistons climb out of a 4-0 hole as the Swan Valley Stampeders grabbed a 2-1 series lead after a 4-2 win.

First Falls Flat

The Pistons hoped to come out strong in the opening period but despite having good puck control in the opening minutes, they didn't manage much in the way of offence.

Swan capitalized on a power play as a point shot was deflected in front of Matt Radomsky and Swan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead.

After a debated non-call in their own zone, the Pistons got caught running around and Swan was able to score in tight to make it 2-0.

A double minor with only four minutes remaining in the period again put Steinbach into defensive mode. They were able to kill off the first half but not the second as the Stamps lead grew to 3-0 with under two minutes to go in period number one.

Shots were in favor of the Stamps 12-10. All of those 10 shots for Steinbach came near the midway point of the period and beyond. The first shots came with over 7 minutes played.

Penalty's Mounting 

Down by three after 20 minutes and at home, the frustration mounted for the home side and with that, the penalty's also mounted. 

Steinbach took two double minors (high sticking that caused a cut and a spearing call which is an automatic double minor), a two-minute minor and a 10 minute misconduct, all in the middle period.

Another defensive breakdown gave the Stampeders another add-on goal as they tacked another up on the board to go up 4-0.

Coming Unglued

Steinbach needed a spark and needed to get the crowd involved and they did scoring less than a minute into the third period.

A great stretch pass from Riley Vautour hit Nico Labossiere who went streaking in and buried a wrist-shot for his third goal of the playoffs, giving the Pistons a little hope early.

With the crowd buzzing, the Pistons put together another hard working shift but the momentum built was derailed when Carter Loney was assessed a 5 minute major for checking from behind.

The Stampeders player was down on the ice for a couple of minutes before leaving to the locker-room under his own power but did not return.

Swan Valley didn't score on the five minute man advantage as the penalty killers continued to step up big.

Near the midway point of the third, Brendan Martin got Steinbach another step closer after Caydin Cleland cut up the ice on a good looking rush, then dropped the puck to Martin who un-corked a beautiful wrist shot for his 4th of the playoffs and pulling Steinbach to within two.

More noise from the fans came as the Stamps were given a penalty for goaltender interference and it seemed like the tide might be turning as the Pistons had a chance to crawl to within one.

While on the power-play, a Pistons player got tied up with a Stampeders player behind the play and took a penalty, negating the power-play and evening up the players on the ice four on four.

After the Martin goal, that would be as close as Steinbach would in game 3 as the Stampeders walked away with a 2-1 series lead.

Game Notes

Matt Radomsky again was stellar in net, giving his team every chance to find their footing and get back into the game. He finished the night making 35 saves.

Riley Vautour had one assist but was one of the more noticeable Pistons players as he delivered several big hits and generated a few offensive looks in the third period.

Welcome Return

Declan Graham made his way back to the lineup after being out with an injury since towards the end of the regular season.

The 19-year-old stud defender shook off the cobwebs early and looked like the steady defender he has been his entire Pistons career.

Up Next

Game 4 is set for Thursday night in Steinbach. The pre-game show on MIX 96.7 FM and SteinbachOnline.com starts at 7:15 pm and the puck drops at 7:30 pm.