The Steinbach Pistons picked up their first wins of the new season to improve their record to 2-2 through the first four games after defeating both the Winkler Flyers and the Dauphin Kings.

Moles Goals

Tanner Mole had a pair of goals Friday night vs the Winkler Flyers as the big forward helped his team pick up a 6-2 win on the road.

Steinbach got the all-important first goal at the midway point when Brady Tatro notched his first of the year on the power play from Liam Anderson and Declan Graham.

Less than two minutes later, 20-year-old forward Boedey Vaeth scored his first goal as a Steinbach Piston to make it 2-0. Rookie's Caydin Cleland and Troy Beauchemin had the assists, their first points of their Junior A careers.

The scoring continued in the second period as Tanner Mole cut his way in front, muscled off a defender and stuffed the puck home to make it 3-0. Jack Kilroy and Tyson McConnell picked up the helpers.

After having numerous chances over his first two games, Brendan Westbrook finally got a bounce to go his way as he scored on the power play with only 50 seconds remaining in the period. For Westbrook, it was his first as a Piston.

Not to be outdone, another rookie notched his first of his career as Max Neil scored to make it a 5-0 game. Vaeth picked up the lone assist on the goal.

Winkler made a couple of strides towards a comeback as they scored a pair of goals, one of which was on a 5 on 3 power play, to cut the lead to 5-2.

That's as close as Winkler would get as Mole sealed the deal with an empty netter. Mole's third goal in three games was also a short-handed marker and was assisted by Curtis Ireland.

Matt Radomsky was rock solid making 27 saves on the night. 

It was a special teams battle as there were 18 combined minor penalties and one 10 minute misconduct handed out.

Steinbach's power play was 2 for 9 while the penalty kill was 8 for 9. The shots were in Steinbach's favour, finishing 44-29.

The win was also the first on the bench for new assistant coach Calvin Bugyik.

Momentum Carries Over

The good times continued on Saturday as the Pistons used a big second period to down the Dauphin Kings 6-2.

The first period was a wild one as both teams combined to put up five goals between them.

Steinbach got on the board first as Tanner Mole cashed in on a rebound for his 4th goal in 4 games to make it 1-0 on a power play. Curtis Ireland picked up the assist and praise from teammates for a heads up rush that eventually resulted in the opening goal.

Brendan Westbrook got into the scored act for a second straight game as he buried a wrister to make it 2-0 less than ten minutes into the game. Brendan Martin picked up the lone assist.

Dauphin made a game of it though, as they cashed in twice in less than a minute to knot the game at 2's.

Martin gave Steinbach the lead again as he scored his first of the year on a power play with 32 seconds remaining in the opening period. Martin's goal was assisted by Declan Graham and Westbrook.

In the second, Brady Tatro forced his way to the front of the net and after a scramble in front, he buried his second goal in as many games to restore Steinbach's two-goal lead. Martin picked up his third point of the night with a helper.

Also for a second straight game, the Pistons would get a short-handed goal. 

Boedey Vaeth won a faceoff cleanly back to Tristan Culleton who floated a wrister towards the net, the original shot was stopped but not a single King's player even looked in the direction of Vaeth who was all alone in front and tucked home a backhander to increase the lead 5-2.

The scored was capped off when Marcel Berube notched his first for Steinbach from Ireland and Troy Williams to make it a 6-2 game.

No scoring in the third and for the second consecutive night, the Pistons came away with a 6-2 win.

Matt Lenz got his first start in goal for Steinbach and stopped 26 shots on the night.

Steinbach's power play clicked twice in four opportunities while the penalty kill was 6 of 7. Shots again favoured the Pistons 41-28.

Up Next

Steinbach's schedule picks up a bit this week with a game in Winnipeg on Tuesday night then returning home for a pair, one against Swan Valley on Saturday and then Winkler comes to town on Sunday.