Coming into the final home game of the regular season, the Steinbach Pistons needed just one more win to clinch first place as they hosted the OCN Blizzard on Wednesday night and finished their home part of the schedule in style winning 9-3.

There was a pre-game ceremony as the MJHL handed out the awards for the Top Goaltender, Rookie of the Year and Playing Ability and Sportsmanship to Matt Lenz, Carter Loney and Ty Naaykens respectively.

Also, the team honored the 20-year-olds as they got an nice salute from the home fans. 

Then, Steinbach went to work.

The Pistons roared out of the gate grabbing an early lead while in the final seconds of a 5 on 3 power play, Tanner Mole ripped a one timer to make it 1-0. The power play goal was the hulking forwards 15th of the season and was assisted by Declan Graham and Kyle Bettens. 

Carter Loney quickly made it 2-0 as the MJHL Rookie of the Year cut across the slot and fired a perfect wrist shot home for his 16th of the season from Zach Purcell and Ryan Butler.

Coming into the game, Rylan Bettens had been a bit snake bit as it had been quite a bit of time since his last goal but that changed when he snapped off a shot that rang off the post and in for the 19-year-olds 14th of the year to make it 3-0. Throwing the monkey off of his back after scoring a goal that was assisted by Codey Behun.

Another goal on the power play finished off the offence in the opening period as Max Neil banked a centering pass off of a Blizzard defender and in for his 14th to make it 4-0. Ty Naaykens and Kyle Bettens were given the helpers.

Kyle Bettens continued his big night in the second as he showed off some excellent hands in tight and tucked home his 14th from Bryce Young and Dylan Cassie to extend Steinbach's lead to 5-0.

OCN didn't quit and were able to catch a bit of a break as a puck deflected off of Matt Lenz then off a player in front and in to cut the lead to 5-1.

Purcell got it right back for the home side as he displayed excellent puck handling skills and patience burying his 32nd goal. Butler picked up another helper as did Graham.

Again, OCN showed a lot of heart and managed to put up two quick goals to cut the lead to 6-3 after 40 minutes of play.

 In the third, Bryce Young scored his 12th of the year from Kyle Bettens and Naaykens to make it a 7-3 game.

Purcell and Mole both would add their second goals of the game as Steinbach set a season high with 9 goals.

For Purcell, his second of the contest was on a power play from Cassie and Behun while Mole's was a beauty deke in tight from Behun and Rylan Bettens.

Steinbach finished off the 9-3 game with 47 shots on goal and only surrendering 18.

The power play did damage finishing 3-5 while the penalty kill was excellent again going 4-4.

With the win, the Pistons officially clinch 1st and will have home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

Steinbach wraps up their regular season on Friday vs the Selkirk Steelers. That game will be on MIX 96 and SteinbachOnline.com with the pre-game show at 7:15 pm and puck drop at 7:30 pm.