The Niverville Nighthawks scored three goals in the opening period, then added a key shorthanded goal in the second, eventually defeating the visiting Steinbach Pistons 4-1 on Friday night. Entertaining start Right from puck drop, both teams set the tone that they would not be pushed around. Fast, scrappy, and hard checking, made it feel like a little more than a preseason game. Niverville jumped to a lead thanks to Parker Carrier, who used a perfect screen set by Steven Foster to rifle home his first of the preseason, making it 1-0 Niverville. Kole Mears also collected a helper. Less than a minute later, Loik Leduc capitalized on a defensive zone breakdown by Steinbach, as he slipped through coverage and found himself with time and space, making no mistake to put Niverville up 2-0. Mears and Foster each nabbed their second points of the night. Leduc and Mears would team up for the 3-0 goal, as Mears set up Leduc with a cross ice pass in the Pistons zone, and the Leduc shot glanced off the stick of a Pistons defender, beating the netminder to increase the lead. Brody Green would get Steinbach on the board, notching his first of the preseason cutting the lead to 3-1. Evan Gradt and Marek Miller were given credits for the assists. It remained 3-1 heading into the second period Shorthanded dagger After the first period that featured some good hard work by the Nighthawks, Steinbach punched back, controlling stretches of play, using their speed, but couldn't get any closer. Niverville continued to play impressive hockey, working hard, forcing Steinbach into errors, and using their speed to cause the Steinbach defenders fits. With under a minute to go in the period, Nighthawks rookie Max Dowse scored a shorthanded goal, with Aaron Krestanowich picking up the lone assist. The shorty came after Steinbach looked good throughout the period, including the power play near the end of the period, but The Niverville club gutted it out, and brought a 4-1 lead into the third. Quiet, fast, detailed, victory For the third period, both teams showed well. Steinbach used their speed in transition, meanwhile the Nighthawks also used their speed to be strong both offensively and defensively. Neither team would find the back of the net in the frame, sealing a Nighthawks 4-1 win. Stats Ben Chornomydz was a rock for the Nighthawks, making several key saves at important times, as he finished his night making 23 saves on 24 shots. Chris Quizi for Steinbach got the start, playing just under half a game, making 10 saves on 13 shots. Easton Thvedt came in at the midway point and finished with 14 saves on 15 shots. Niverville's power play finished 0-5, while the Pistons man advantage went 0-3. Up next The two teams will meet again, this time at the Southeast Event Centre on Saturday night.