The top two teams in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League are set to lock horns for the Turnbull Cup starting Friday night in Steinbach.

The Steinbach Pistons finished 1st in the MJHL with a record of 48-8-2-2 while the Virden Oil Capitals were 2nd with a 40-17-2-1 record. Both teams boast impressive offensive numbers.

Steinbach is coming off a hard-fought series against the Winnipeg Blues in which they moved on in 6 games. 

Veteran forwards Drew Worrad (3 goals, 9 assists), Bradley Schoonbaert (4 goals, 7 assists) and Breden Purtill (5 goals, 5 assists) have led on the scoresheet and by example. Daniel McKitrick moved to the line with Schoonbaert and Worrad after Austin Heidemann was assessed a 4 game suspension. McKitrick's speed and puck-handling bring a new threat to that line. Heidemann will miss game 1 of the finals. 

The line of Will Koop, Riese Gaber and Brendan Martin were the most consistent threat in the series vs the Winnipeg Blues and while the scoring output didn't match the overall high level of play, they are primed to breakout. All three forwards have upped their game as the playoffs have continued on.

A player that really stood out so far in the 2017-18 postseason is 19-year-old forward, Brady Tatro. The Bemidji, MN native has constantly improved with more ice time and has been on a tear putting up 6 points over his last 4 games including a pair of power play markers.

Purtill moved on a line with Tatro and Easton Bennett towards the end of the Blues series and found instant chemistry. Bennett's first playoff goal of his MJHL career game in game 5 and was the eventual game-winner in the Pistons 3-0 victory.

The line of Tyson McConnell, Tanner Mole and Luke Bellerose have also clicked since coming together in game 5. The line is responsible defensively but also can generate chances in the offensive zone. Jack Johnson also has played well then he's been in the lineup and any combo

On the blue line, the Pistons are led by veterans Mark Taraschuk and Mark Wilson. Both defenders have taken their game up as the games have gotten more intense and both will be relied upon heavily going forward in all aspects of the game, whether it's 5 on 5, power play and especially the penalty kill.

Declan Graham has been rock solid, while Darby Gula and Jaret Lalli have shown off impressive speed and great awareness when rushing the puck and also pinching in to keep plays alive. Adding in the speed of rookie Tristan Culleton has also helped as the first year player has looked more comfortable in every game he's played so far.

Goalie Matthew Thiessen was given the reigns in the Blues series and never looked back posting a 4-2 record including 1 shutout. Thiessen was pressed on a few different occasions and came up making some incredible saves whether it was keeping his team in front or within striking distance to get back into a game in which they were trailing. The 17-year-old from Alonta, MB will be a major factor in the MJHL finals. He holds the best GAA 1.38 and SV% .950.

The Virden Oil Capitals have lost only 1 game so far in the playoffs and are coming off a 4 game sweep of the Winkler Flyers in round 2.

Much like the Pistons, the Oil Caps boast an impressive offence led by the impressive goal-scoring streak of 19-year-old Ben Dalke who has 7 goals and 4 assists for a team-leading 11 points in 9 games. Rylee Zimmer has 4 points in his last two games and 9 overall, tied with the MJHL regular season assists leader Kirklan Lycar who also has 9 points.

Team leading scorer for the regular season Tyler Kirkup will sit out game 1 vs the Pistons finishing off a suspension he picked up against the Flyers. 

Kyle Salaway, Dylan Thiessen and Kolten Kanaski have all chipped in collecting points on special teams. Salaway and Dalke each have 3 power play goals so far.

On defence, rookie Justin Lee continues to find his way as well as Marco Creta who as put up 6 points. The veteran presence of Tristen Cross and Devon Becker allow the youngsters to not only mature but thrive in the pressure games. 

Riley McVeigh has played in all 9 games so far for Virden posting an impress 8-1 record with 1 shutout. His GAA is second only to Thiessen's at 2.32 while his SV% is at .926.

Special teams will, as always, play a big factor in this playoff series.

Steinbach's power play is 4th at 20.5% (9 goals in 44 opportunities) while the Oil Caps are 1st at 29.4% (10 goals in 34 opportunities). 

Penalty killing is similar, as the Pistons sit 2nd at 85.7% and Virden in 3rd with 83.8%

Schedule:

April 6th - Game 1 - Virden at Steinbach - 7:30 pm

April 8th - Game 2 - Steinbach at Virden - 7:30 pm

April 10th - Game 3 - Virden at Steinbach - 7:30 pm

April 12th - Game 4 - Steinbach at Virden - 7:30 pm

April 14th - Game 5 - Virden at Steinach - 7:30 pm (if ness.)

April 16th - Game 6 - Steinbach at Virden - 7:30 pm (if ness.)

April 19th - Game 7 - Virden at Steinbach - 7:30 pm (if ness.)