Series Overview
For the second consecutive season, the Steinbach Pistons and Portage Terriers are set to go head-to-head in the first round of the Turnbull Cup Playoffs, beginning Friday, March 20 at Southeast Event Centre.
Steinbach Season Summary
Steinbach wrapped up its 58-game MJHL regular season on Mar. 14 with a 6-2 win over the Selkirk Steelers at SEC, finishing with a stellar 47-9-2 record. That mark was good for second place in the league with 96 points, and second in the MGEU East Division behind the league-best Niverville Nighthawks (51-6-1, 103 points).
The Pistons finished with the third-best power play in the MJHL (26.3%), while their penalty kill operated at a league-best 86.5%. Steinbach scored the second-most goals in the league (278) and allowed the second-fewest (131). They also led the league in shorthanded goals (12).
Steinbach Team Leaders
Forward Jack Greenwell led the team with 61 points, recording 34 goals and 27 assists in 52 games. He also led the club in goals, while defenceman Liam Doyle and forward Brett Kaiser tied for the team lead in assists (46). On the power play, forward Evan Gradt led the way with 10 goals.
Steinbach Goaltending
Between the pipes, Chris Quizi posted a .917 SV% and a 2.53 GAA in 29 starts. Easton Thvedt appeared in 22 games, recording a .926 SV% and a 1.97 GAA.
Portage Season Summary
Portage concluded its season on March 15 with a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Monarchs, finishing the 2025-26 campaign with a 39-18-1 record (79 points). That placed them fourth in the league and third in the MGEU East Division.
The Terriers’ power play operated at 19.5% (ninth in the MJHL), while their penalty kill ranked 10th at 75.7%. Portage scored the sixth-most goals (202) and allowed the sixth-most (183).
Portage Team Leaders
Forward Rhett Platt led the team with 70 points, tallying 23 goals and 47 assists, while also leading the club in assists. Rookie Trevor Hill scored a team-high 40 goals. Platt also led Portage with 12 power-play goals.
Portage Goaltending
The Terriers had four goaltenders appear in 10+ games, with Ryan Velan and Donavan Bodnar each playing at least 20. Velan posted a .899 SV% and a 3.14 GAA in 20 games, while Bodnar recorded a .890 SV% and a 3.36 GAA.
Season Series
The two teams met six times during the regular season. Portage took the first meeting 1-0 in overtime on Sept. 26, but Steinbach responded by winning the next five games, 7-1 (Oct. 15), 5-0 (Dec. 20), 7-2 (Jan. 21), 5-2 (Feb. 4), and 5-2 (Feb. 7), outscoring the Terriers 29-8over that stretch.
Game One Details
Game One of the best-of-seven series is set for Friday, March 20 at SEC, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.
