The Steinbach Pistons improved their pre-season record to 3-0 with back to back wins over the Winkler Flyers over the weekend.

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Steinbach fans were treated to an offensive show on Friday night as the Pistons fired 43 shots on goal and came away with a 6-1 win.

It was a solid first period for the home side Pistons as they carried much of the play and picked up a few good chances, all of which were turned away until Easton Bennett found the back of the net to make it 1-0 Steinbach after the first.

That lead would grow in the middle frame as 16-year-old defender Carter Bateman picked up his second of the pre-season when a shot from the point found the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Winkler cut the lead in half with just under six minutes to play in the period but Steinbach's Troy Beauchemin got it right back as he deflected a point shot home to restore Steinbach's two-goal lead, 3-1 after 40 minutes of play.

Like last year, the Pistons pulled away with goals in quick order scoring three goals in just over four minutes of the third. Landon Roberts picked up a power-play goal while Declan Graham and Wyatt Andres also scored and sealed a 6-1 victory.

David Queree (2), Roberts, Bateman, Jack Kilroy, Liam Anderson, Brady Tatro (2), Boedey Vaeth (2), Max Neil and Logan Danis had assists on the night.

In goal, 19-year-old Matt Lenz started and finished a perfect 9 for 9 in 29:58 of ice time. He switched out with 17-year-old Danton Belluk who finished with 5 saves on 6 shots in 30:02.

The power play finished 1 for 5 while the penalty kill was 1 for 1. Steinbach had the edge in shots 43-15.

Two For The Road

On Saturday, the two teams met again, this time in Winkler and again it was Steinbach winning, this time by a score of 6-4, thanks to three players picking up two goals each.

For the second straight game, Steinbach got on the board first as Carter Loney cashed in to make it 1-0 less than six minutes into the game.

Winkler battled right back and took a 2-1 lead but it wouldn't last as Loney scored his second of the period to tie the game and then Troy Beauchemin scored with only 22 seconds left in the period to send Steinbach to the locker room up by a score of 3-2.

In the second, 18-year-old Marcel Berube of London, Ontario notched his first of the game to make it 4-2 Pistons.

After Winkler climbed back to within a goal, Berube scored his second of the period on the power play as the lead swelled again and after two periods, Steinbach led 5-2.

Beauchemin got into the double up act as near the midway point of the third, he collected his second of the game to make it a 6-3 hockey game. 

Winkler answered back quickly but that's as close as they would get as the Pistons left the Winkler Recreational Complex with a 6-4 victory.

Curtis Ireland, Declan Graham (2), Connor Tyhy and Alex Skinner had the helpers on the night.

In goal, Lenz picked up the win making 6 saves on 8 shots in 30:12 while Belluk stopped 10 of 12 in 29:48.

The power play clicked 3 outa 6 times while the penalty kill was 2 for 3. Steinbach again outshot Winkler but only slightly, 24-20.

Brotherly Love

Saturday nights game marked the first time in the MJHL that the McConnell brothers, Tyson for Steinbach and Carson for Winkler, went up against each other. 

20-year-old Tyson has been a mainstay up front for the Pistons since 2015-16 while 17-year-old Carson is looking to earn a spot on the Flyers blueline after playing last season for the Pilot Mound Varsity.

A special moment for the McConnell family who was in attendance as father Rick tweeted before the game, "First time @TyMcConnell16 and @CarsonMcConnel8 go head to head in MJHL action! Who gets the upper hand on this big rivalry? #proudparents #nervousmom"

The younger McConnell may have won the battle as Carson picked up an assist but it was Tyson who won ultimate bragging rights for now as his team came away with the win.

Up Next

The pre-season continues on Tuesday as the Pistons travel to take on the Blues.

Another home and home series are on tap to wrap up the exhibition season over the weekend as Selrkik will be in town Friday before Steinbach heads to Steeltown for a rematch on Saturday.