While the Sunday night contest between the Steinbach Pistons and Winkler Flyers was tied after the first period, the Pistons eventually took over, claiming a 7-2 victory. Dream start It was the home opener for the Pistons, and there was a party-like atmosphere inside the Southeast Event Centre, with a pre-game party, live band, and packed house. Sam Noad kicked the party into high gear, scoring his first of the season less than a minute into the game. Zhenya Miles picked up the primary assist, shooting the puck into the Winkler zone, banking it perfectly into a space for Noad to skate into, and the 20-year-old sniper ripped a perfect wrister over the shoulder of Liam Russell. Brett Kaiser also picked up an assist. Under four minutes later, the Pistons would extend a lead while on a delayed penalty. Jack Greenwell scored his second of the year, finishing off a beautiful cross-ice pass from Evan Kabel, giving Steinbach a 2-0 lead. Liam Doyle was given the secondary assist. The crowd was rowdy and feeling good, especially given that Steinbach scored twice on their first three shots of the game. Answering back The Flyers showed no quit. Despite being down early, the group dug deep and battled back. First, Marcus Hughes capped off a beautiful rush, started by Jacob Michelson, who used his speed through the neutral zone, dishing off to Nik Gudmundson, who then filtered a pass through the seam, cross-ice, hitting Hughes in stride, and he finished it off, cutting the lead to 2-1. Winkler got the game back to even, thanks to a bit of a lucky break on a power play. As it looked as though Steinbach would clear the zone, the puck ended up on the stick of Aidan Grant, who buried his first MJHL goal, bringing it to a 2-2 score. Steinbach had the first few minutes of the period, but a large part of the opening frame was controlled by the Flyers, but the 2-2 score held heading into the second. Party is back on Less than five minutes into the second, Noad would get the fans back on their feet. The captain sniped a beauty while on a power play, his second of the night, putting the Pistons back on top, 3-2. Kabel collected his second point of the night, while Cullen Ingebritson also picked up a helper. A few minutes later, Miles showed off his elite skating and scoring ability, as the lanky defender tore around the Flyers' net, scoring on a wraparound to extend the lead to 4-2. Blake Farthing was given the lone assist on the goal. Not done there, the Pistons used strong defense to help generate another goal. Charlie Velner broke up a great-looking rush led by Gudmundson, and the 19-year-old Edina product turned that strong defensive play into a loose puck that Ingebritson then fired up to Brody Green, who broke in all alone and scored his second of the year, boosting the Pistons' lead to 5-2. Closing time On yet another power play, great puck movement by Steinbach produced another goal, this time by Greenwell, who found some quiet space in the offensive zone, wiring home his second of the night and third of the season, bringing the score to 6-2. Kaiser and Doyle raked in the assists. Mason Landry finished off the scoring parade, notching his first career MJHL goal, pushing the game to 7-2. Hunter Kelso and Velner collected the assists. Game notes Chris Quizi finished the night with 21 saves, improving his record to 2-0. Liam Russell battled, surrendering 7 goals on 28 shots. Steinbach's power play was 2-7, while Winkler's power play went 1-5. Up Next Steinbach will have another home game on Wednesday night, hosting the Winnipeg Monarchs at the Southeast Event Centre. Winkler will hit the road on Thursday when they visit the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.