Steinbach Pistons out for revenge in MJHL quarterfinals

The Steinbach Pistons may have won just three championships since 2013, but they’ve been at or near the top of the class in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in the years since.

Since Paul Dyck came aboard as the Steinbach Pistons’ head coach and general manager, the team hasn’t lost in the first round of the playoffs — except for last season, when the Portage Terriers made quick work of the Pistons, ruining plans to break in the new Southeast Event Centre with a long playoff run.

Steinbach will get a second crack at the Terriers this season, as both teams finished in the exact same position in the East Division standings, with Steinbach at second and Portage in third.

Pistons captain Sam Noad quoted Michael Jordan during the team’s annual banquet, saying, “winning has a price and this year we’re willing to pay that price.”

Steinbach head coach Paul Dyck said he anticipated half-way through the season Portage was the team’s likely first-round opponent. He echoed his captains thoughts from the banquet, adding players have learned what it takes to win in the playoffs.

“I think this group is up to that challenge,” Dyck said.

“I’m certainly not saying last year’s wasn’t, but I think this group, what we went through last year, there’s a bit of a chip on their shoulders. I also think they’ve prepared the new players for what’s ahead.”

The Terriers have just a plus-20 goal difference this season, which is dwarfed by Steinbach’s plus-143.

Portage has struggled to find consistency in net since star goaltender Mitchell Kathler left for the B.C. Hockey League at the holiday break, equally splitting starts between 2005-born options Ryan Velan and Donavan Bodnar, who both had goals against averages under 0.900 heading into the final weekend of regular season play.

Kathler was the difference for the Terriers in last year’s series, posting a 0.938 save percentage despite the Pistons peppering the goalie with more than 35 shots in five of the six games of the series, despite the 3-2 series loss.

Steinbach had played just two games in the newly constructed Southeast Event Centre before the playoffs last year.

“I think it had a bit of a draining effect on us,” Dyck said on moving into a new building right before the playoffs.

“This year, it certainly feels a lot different going into the playoffs. This has been now for a full season. Things are just normal here.”

Steinbach won five of the six games the two teams played in the 2025/2026 regular season, dominating nearly every game, save for a 1-0 loss in September. The Pistons out-scored the Terriers 29-8 over the course of the season, picking up a pair of 5-2 wins just three days apart in early February.

“We start at zero, the standings re-set,” Dyck said.

“I like some of the details in our game the last two months. We’ve played more of a style I think is going to be conducive to success in the playoffs. Obviously it’s going to be a difficult match-up with Portage. I know we’re going to see the best of them.”

The Terriers have found their footing as of late and are on a hot streak heading into the playoffs, winning 12 of 14, with just two losses to top-seeded Niverville to close the season. Portage head coach Blake Spiller is the league’s all-time leader in wins.

“It’s always a great challenge when you go up against a team that’s had the success they’ve had,” Dyck said.

“They’re extremely well coached and have a tremendous amount of playoff success. We’re looking forward to it.”

The series will kick off in Steinbach March 20, with game three, five and seven (if necessary), set for March 24, March 28 and April 1. The Southeast Event Centre will be hosting pre-game parties before every Pistons playoff home game.

Festivities, including face painting and a mini-shootout challenge, get under way at 5:30 before each game. The team is encouraging fans to wear blue for playoff games. Home games for the Pistons in the first round are set for March 20, 24, 28 and April 1.