Grady Hoffman scored with 42 seconds left in the third period to pull the Steinbach Pistons within a goal, but they were unable to find the equalizer as they fell 4-3 in Game 6 of the Turnbull Cup semifinals to the Virden Oil Capitals, who advance to the final to face the Niverville Nighthawks.
The Oil Capitals opened the scoring 8:47 into the first period when Tyson Draper picked up a loose puck at the top of the crease and slipped his third of the postseason past Easton Thvedt.
Brett Kaiser, coming off a two-goal performance in Game 5, tied the game at one with his second goal in as many games. Jackson Kostiuk fed the puck to the 21-year-old cutting into the slot, and Kaiser fired a shot past Braxton Burdeny for his third of the playoffs on the power play at 14:15.
With 7:49 remaining in the second period, Liam Goertzen restored Virden’s lead with a strong solo effort, scoring his fifth of the postseason while shorthanded.
Virden received a double-minor power play early in the third period, but Steinbach capitalized on a 3-on-1 rush during the penalty kill. Kostiuk finished the play by sliding the puck into the open cage while Burdeny was outside his crease, tying the game 2-2 at 3:19 with his team-leading ninth goal of the playoffs.
Nathan Schaefer ensured the Oil Capitals still capitalized on the man advantage moments later, firing a one-timer from the point at 5:13 to restore the lead for the home side, making it 3-2 with his third of the postseason.
Goertzen struck again with just under five minutes remaining in regulation, scoring his second of the contest to extend Virden’s lead to two and put the Pistons under pressure late in the elimination game.
Steinbach made things interesting when Hoffman buried a power-play goal with less than a minute remaining to cut the deficit to 4-3, but despite continued offensive-zone pressure in the final seconds, Virden held on to end the Pistons’ 2025-26 season.
This marked the Pistons’ first full season at the Southeast Event Centre, and the fans showed up consistently throughout the year.
“It’s been amazing … our fan support is really second to none,” Pistons head coach Paul Dyck said to Dave Anthony following Game 6. “Can’t thank them enough. The building was just electric on Friday (Game 5), that’s a memory I’ll always cherish.”
The season may be over, but Santa Lucia Year End Awards Night is coming up this Wednesday. Stay tuned to the Pistons’ social media accounts for more details.
Article Written by Evan Waldner
