‘It’s become home’ — Pistons settle in La Broquerie

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This article was published 17/10/2023 (624 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Steinbach Pistons have been quick to embrace their temporary home for the 2023/2024 season.

With the destruction of the Centennial Arena to make way for a new arena, the Pistons are spending the entire season in La Broquerie and have already played three games in their temporary digs.

“It’s become home,” head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said.

“For guys, they just want a space of their own, and we have a really good group. I think they like spending time together.”

Dyck added it’s been an easy transition for players.

“Hockey players are pretty simple at the end of the day,” Dyck said, laughing.

“They want to win hockey games, they want to be in a competitive environment, they want to feel like they’re getting better. Hopefully we’re providing that to them.”

There were some learning curves when it comes to playing in the HyLife Centre. For the first two games of the season, temperatures inside the rink were over 10 degrees, with players quipping they had lost seven pounds in sweat due to the heat.

Those problems were fixed when the Selkirk Steelers visited, but the building still has its quirks.

With older stanchions, goalies on both Steinbach and opposing teams scrambling to get back into their nets after a crazy bounce on some dump-ins.

“The boards aren’t going to be perfect, the stanchions are a bit bigger in these buildings sometimes,” Dyck said.

“It is what it is, there’s two teams playing on the same sheet of ice.”

The locker rooms for the Pistons in La Broquerie are a bit smaller than their previous space, but Dyck said that isn’t stopping them from enjoying some positives that it brings.

“We’re thankful to have a space we can call our own,” Dyck said.

“It’s really close to the ice surface, so it’s a real easy on and off the ice.”

Of all the periods Steinbach has played in the HyLife Centre, their first one was the best. The Pistons jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Portage, directing 22 shots on net while holding a major advantage in possession.

“That was as close to a perfect period for us,” Dyck said.

“Our game was very simple, and it was fast… We looked very mediocre for the rest of the game.”

Steinbach captain Leo Chambers said it’s been great to see the La Broquerie community embrace the team.

But the arena does have at least one negative in the Toronto native and big Maple Leafs fan’s eyes.

“I’m loving it so far, except Habs logo in the middle,” Chambers said, laughing.