For the first time this year, the Steinbach Pistons needed a shootout to claim a 3-2 victory over the Virden Oil Capitals on Saturday night.

A Period Of Firsts

Steinbach got off to a terrific start as the line of Codey Behun, Rylan Bettens and Ty Naaykens cashed in just over a minute and a half into the game.

Naaykens crashed the net off a Rylan Bettens shot and slid the puck into the open side of the net for his first as a member of the Steinbach Pistons. "It was a good shift, we started off the first shift of the game and just put pucks on net" the 18-year-old Naaykens said after the game. "Rylan came around on a wrap around and I just found it in the crease, so I just put it in."

With the assist, it was also Rylan Bettens' first point as a Piston.

That line was far from done.

Quick Hole

After failing to score on two power play opportunities, the Oil Caps used the kill as a momentum turn and grabbed a lead with two quick goals to end the first period.

First, Hunter Cloutier scored on a pass cross crease then Kolten Kanaski found some quiet space in front and finished off a nice pass from behind the net to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

Slow Take Over

The ice started to tilt in the second period as the Pistons used their speed and crisp defensive zone exits to put wave after wave towards the Virden net.

Shots were recorded as being 7-7 but the sense after the game was that the Pistons had more then 7 chances on net.

As the period ended, the Pistons carried a little positive energy into the locker room, despite still being down 2-1.

Late Game Heroics

As the game started to wind down and the tension began to rise, the Pistons kept pushing and pushing.

The line that opened the scoring were at it again to tie the game. 

A good rush in by Behun got Steinbach into the zone and then a great line cycle eventually forced the puck in front and it was Rylan Bettens that slammed it into the open cage to tie it up 2-2.

It's All About When

Matt Lenz faced 12 shots in the opening period and then 18 between the second, third and overtime. While it wasn't the most work he's had in a night, it was all about the timing of his saves.

Head coach Paul Dyck spoke about his goalie after the game. "I thought he was really solid, he made some big saves. We didn't give up a lot but the ones we did give up, they were in prime area's to their pretty good players. I thought he ate a lot of rebounds tonight, too."

Breakaway Challenge

Naaykens and Behun capped off their night by both scoring in the shootout and Lenz stopped 2 of 3 to give Steinbach the bonus point with a 3-2 win.

Coaches Thoughts

The Pistons seemed to get better as the game went on according to Dyck. "I liked the way we came back, we stayed with it. I thought we started really in the second. We started taking care of pucks in our own zone and defending better. It was hectic in the first period and gave up some good looks. We let them take over for a bit there for a short stretch. In the second, it was good and then in the third, we built on what we did in the second. Even though we were trailing, it was fun to watch our group start believing and start pushing a little harder."

As Dyck and his club pushed for the equalizer in the third, the bench was shortened and the line of Behun, Rylan Bettens and Naaykens saw a lot of ice and they impressed the coach with what they did. "They earned it. You want to give those opportunities and put confidence in your key guys, the guys you feel can be productive in those situations and they responded. Everyone wants ice time, it's not given away freely, you have to earn it. For them to come up with the big time goal and then for two of them to finish it off in the shootout, it's huge."

There are areas that the staff would like to see cleaned up, the power play and winning 50-50 puck battles. Dyck says one will help the other. "Our PP, it's not very fluid right now. Guys are gripping sticks a little tight. It's not like they don't want to score and there are glimpses that we're turning the corner. We feel that it's a matter of time and maybe a matter of feeling comfortable with each other. They want it to happen sooner rather then later as well. With battles, we've been talking about it a lot. It's an area we can improve on and it's on the power play as well. We will continue to send the message and we've improved. There's usually a direct correlation of how hard we're playing and in the third, it showed."

Lights, Camera, Showcase!

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Showcase kicks off in Winnipeg Sunday night. A chance for fans across the league to see all 11 teams over 3 days.

The Pistons have games Monday and Tuesday afternoon, both with 12 noon puck drops. Dyck has been around for a while and knows what he needs to do to get his team ready for games that the players have circled. "There's always motivation but for the guys to go play. Play with intensity we ask from them every night. With technology, HockeyTV, scouts are always watching. Once the puck drops, everyone forgets about it and some of the added pressure that might be self induced, might go away."

Injury Update

Three big pieces were out of Saturday's line up, Max Neil, Tanner Mole and Christian Riemer all sat out due to injury issues. Dyck gave an update on the walking wounded and when they might be ready.

"Max Neil will be back on Monday, with two added days of rest, it should help him. Tanner Mole and Christian Riemer are still kind of day-to-day so we're going to take a wait and see approach. Ideally, you'd get everyone in the Showcase so they can show off what they can do. Hope it works out that way."