The Steinach Pistons got off to the start they wanted but couldn't hold on to an early lead and eventually fell 5-3 to the Virden Oil Capitals on Thursday night.

Tone Setters

Steinbach was able to open the scoring less than three minutes into the game as 20-year-old forward Aiden Wagner wired a puck home from the slot for his 4th goal of the year to make it 1-0. Easton Bennett had the lone assist on the goal.

Brendan Martin pushed the lead to 2-0 near the midway point of the frame when he notched his 14th of the year from linemate Boedey Vaeth to push the lead to 2-0.

The first period ended with Steinbach in control on the scoreboard and leading in shots 12-9

Wheels Fall Off

A pair of goals in quick succession in the middle of the second period knotted up the game and gave the Oil Capitals some life and their fans a jolt of energy which they were able to carry into the third period.

Virden would put up three more in the third, making it five straight goals against the Pistons to grab a 5-2 lead.

Max Neil got Steinbach a stride closer when he scored his 4th of the season from Brendan Westbrook, who was back after missing a few games with a lower body injury, as Steinbach trailed 5-3.

They would get no closer and had their mini two game winning streak snapped.

Matt Lenz was saddled with his first regulation loss of the season as he made 24 saves in 29 shots against.

Steinbach had the shots advantage in the third, despite giving up three goals, 16-7 and overall in the game 33-29.

Massive Back-To-Back

A huge set of games is coming to Steinbach over the weekend as the 2nd place Swan Valley Stampeders are in town both Saturday and Sunday. 

As it sits now, Steinbach is 3 points back of Swan for second place in the MJHL. The Stamps also have two games in hand on the Pistons.