News, Playoffs

Oil Capitals take 1-0 series lead over Pistons

by ksaurette

Photo credit: Kalee Haasbeek

WINNIPEG, MB – Bryce Bryant scored a pair while Nathan Schaefer recorded the game winner to help the Virden Oil Capitals to a 6-4 win over the Steinbach Pistons in game one of the McMunn & Yates Turnbull Cup Playoffs semi-final.

Oil Capitals 6 Pistons 4 | Oil Capitals lead best-of-seven series 1-0
Virden came out swinging in game one, scoring three goals in two minutes near the midway mark of the 1st period to quiet the crowd of 2,158 at the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach. After Bryce Bryant beat Chris Quizi through the five-hole on a pair of quick shots, Brooks Siemens scored his first of the postseason on a nice backhand to forehand deke.


Grady Hoffman would cut into the Oil Capitals lead before the end of the 1st to send game one into the first intermission with the Oil Caps ahead 3-1.


Just like the 1st period, goals would come in a quick stretch during the 2nd. After Sam Noad pulled the Pistons to within a goal on the powerplay, Jackson Kostiuk would tie the game at 3-3 on a shorthanded marker for his league-leading seventh of the playoffs.


Under a minute after Kostiuk tied it, Dysen Drake would strike on the man-advantage for the Oil Capitals to regain their lead heading into the 3rd.

Nathan Schaefer’s first of the postseason would come 7:44 into the 3rd period which would end up as the eventual game winner. London Hoilett’s powerplay blast would give Virden an insurance marker before Liam Doyle added a late goal for the Pistons.


Virden went 2 for 5 on the man-advantage, outshooting Steinbach 41-28 in game one.

Game two is set for Saturday night in Steinbach with puck drop at 7:00.