It was the best ever season in franchise history for the Steinbach Pistons as it came to an end Thursday at the 2018 RBC Cup with a 4-1 loss to the host Chilliwack Chiefs.

The Pistons needed to win to advance to the semi-finals being held Saturday but just couldn't get over the hump.

Goalie Matt Radomsky held his team in it with a couple of big saves early on, keeping it a scoreless game into the final five minutes of the first period.

The Chiefs forced a turnover behind the Pistons goal and passed the puck out into the slot where a perfect wrist shot found the back of the net to make it 1-0 for the host team.

Just over a minute later it was 2-0 as a cross crease pass found the stick of a Chiefs player crashing the net and the Pistons were in a hole as the period came to an end.

In the second, Steinbach had a chance to claw their way back into the game when Austin Heidemann broke in on a shorthanded breakaway. The rookie was upended and awarded a penalty shot.

Heidemann's attempt would be stopped so it remained 2-0 after 40 minutes of play.

In the final period, a power play goal for the Chiefs made it a 3-0 game.

Steinbach showed a bit of life on a power play of their own when Drew Worrad led a 4 on 2 rush into the offensive zone. The forward held on to the puck, looked off the defender then fired a wrister home to cut the lead to 3-1.

The Pistons kept up the pressure and Braden Purtill had a shot clank off the post and stay out.

That was as close as the Pistons would get.

Chilliwack scored late in the third to remove all doubt as the Pistons season came to an end after going winless at their first ever RBC Cup.

It was a season to remember for the Steinbach Pistons winning a Turnbull Trophy and an ANAVET Cup.

More on the Pistons season, including comments from head coach Paul Dyck and the graduating 20 year olds will be coming over the weekend on SteinbachOnline.com