The Steinbach Pistons are going up against the Virden Oil Capitals in the MJHL Finals with game 1 set for Saturday, April 22 at the TG Smith Centre.
SEASON SERIES:
December 2 – 7-2 Pistons Win
December 4 – 7-1 Pistons Win
January 13 – 3-2 Oil Capitals Win
January 15 – 3-2 Oil Capitals Win
SPECIAL TEAMS (Versus each other):
PISTONS: PP 6/13 – 46.2% PK 12/15 – 80.0%
OIL CAPITALS: PP 3/15 – 20.0% PK 7/13 – 53.8%
The Pistons are coming off a second round series win that saw them beat the Swan Valley Stampeders in six games. Virden just closed out their semi-final series over the Portage Terriers, winning in seven games. The Pistons and Oil Capitals split their seasons series with each team winning two games. Over the four-game span, Steinbach outscored Virden 18-9. The Oil Capitals have been and will continue into this series being the lower seed. Virden finished 6th in the MJHL regular season standings with a 35-22-1-0 record and 71 points.
When asked about the matchup ahead against the Oil Capitals, Head Coach and GM Paul Dyck commented, “they have been the top team in the league since Christmas so obviously we are going to have to be on top of our game. They have very good details in every aspect of their game, they are hard to play against and are playing with a lot of confidence.”
“We took 2 days to get some rest and with a quick turnaround again, we have been trying to get more familiar with our opponent who we have not faced since early January” Dyck commented on what the focus has been the last few days with some days off. “Today we are looking for a practice with good pace and intensity as we head into game 1.”
With this officially being the last series in the TG Smith Centre before construction takes place Dyck reflected on the time spent in this building, “knowing this is the final series that will be played in the Centennial Arena is very special. For those of us who may be a touch sentimental, it comes with mixed emotions as we will be leaving behind an arena that has provided 50 years of memories for our community and it has been our home for 14 years.” Continuing what the building meant to Dyck personally he said, “it has been a special building for me personally as I played all of my minor hockey here, a few games with the Steinbach Hawks in ’87-’88, attended countless Husky games in my youth, watched our boys play here and have coached in it for over a decade now. It’s been a building that has provided me with incredible memories.” Looking to the future Dyck commented, “with that being said, I am extremely excited about the arrival of our new events center that will create man new memories for our community for the next 50 years.”