The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has crowned their champion as the Steinbach Pistons won over the Virden Oil Capitals Saturday night.

This is the second MJHL win in the franchise's history. Vice President of the Pistons, Claude Vielfaure, says this win is a relief.

"We started our franchise when we bought the team with Paul Dyck as Head Coach and General Manager. It's been an awesome season and we know how hard it is to win a championship. We've tried for many years; we won it the first year and we thought it was easy, but it's not easy. It's a lot of hard work and so it's a great win tonight."

Head Coach Paul Dyck says the win was very gratifying and it's a testament to the leadership within the team as well as how the team has been able to work together to accomplish goals this season.

"Obviously we had a tremendous regular season and to cap it off now with the championship, it feels tremendous. But it's also, almost relieving to some extent. We had very high expectations coming into this season, we made it clear as a group that this was our goal, this was our first goal, hopefully, we're able to accomplish more beyond this. So, proud of our guys."

Dyck says this team has really fit together better than any group of individuals he's ever seen.

"These guys love each other, they care for each other, and they play hard for each other. The guys that we added this off-season, I had the ability to speak with their coaches and find out what type of teammate they are. I saw them play so I saw them compete, I saw their physical attributes. But I wanted to know how they're going to fit in our dressing room. So, you don't always get it right but this has been special."

Defenceman Darby Gula says he's from Steinbach and remembers when the Pistons took the MJHL win five years ago.

"Just being a fan with my friends at the game, we were going wild. Now here at the ice, you can't really put it into words. It hasn't really sunk in yet. Just such a happy time to go and enjoy with my teammates here on the ice and friends and family."

Goalie Matthew Thiessen says the win was definitely a team effort.

"I'm just watching the puck in front of me, just making sure everything stays out of the net, do whatever I can to make sure the puck stays out of the net. My teammates helped me out, clearing the way, helping me see pucks and making it really easy for me to control rebounds."

Thiessen adds if Steinbach wasn't already on the map, it is now.

Looking back on the game forward Braden Purtill says the last five minutes were a battle, but the team was relentless and really wanted to hoist that trophy and celebrate the victory.

Video Coach Graham Pollock says it's a great championship and the support from the community has been amazing.

Dyck adds this is not only an exciting win as the coach but also as someone who grew up in Steinbach.

"It's my home, my family is here. I'm thrilled how the organization has grown and the fan support we've received year after year since our last championship. We've kind of become a hockey town. We have some incredible fans, the best in our province at our level."

The Pistons will now play in the Anavet Cup which begins on Friday in Steinbach.