The Winkler Flyers and Steinbach Pistons opened the 2026-27 preseason portion of their schedule by renewing the longstanding rivalry, proving that it doesn't matter if it's an exhibition game, these two teams don't like each other, and when the dust settled, it was the Flyers coming out on top 5-3. First period Winkler came out strong, as a more veteran lineup used their speed and size in all three zones. The Pistons managed to push back, but never had much time or space to set up or make clean plays. Both teams took an early penalty, allowing the special teams to get in some reps, and while neither scored, both had some opportunities and looked strong, especially shorthanded. A Winkler power play would open the scoring a short time later, as Justin Belanger ripped a shot from the high slot, making it 1-0 Winkler. Bennett Scissons and Carter Sullivan had the assists. Steinbach would respond on a power play of their own, as Colton Ross drove to the front of the net and got a piece of a Malachi Thiessen shot, knotting the game at 1-1. Caden Lave was also given an assist. In the final seconds, the Flyers had a glorious chance to go back in front, but Steinbach goalie Kai Zurowski made an outstanding save, keeping the 1-1 tie into intermission. Shots tipped slightly in Winkler's favour, 8-7, though much of the play felt more in Winkler's control. Second period A Flyers power play in the opening half of the middle frame produced some chances, with the best one coming by the penalty killers. Defenders collided at center ice, and it produced a three-on-none opportunity for the Pistons, but the Flyers netminder, Ryler Gates, played it perfectly, reading the passes in front of him and making a glorious chance look routine with a strong, confident save. Getting back to even, the Pistons managed to work their way into the Flyers' zone, and a hot shot from Nick Wytrychowski managed to sneak through, giving Steinbach their first lead at 2-1. Noah Paulsen and Graham Gard had the assists. Just before the midway point, Brady Shields came into the net for Steinbach and was tested right away, but came up with a strong save, keeping it a 1-1 game. In the final minutes, Winkler forward Haiden Friesen mixed it up with Pistons defender Oakdin Hanson, resulting in both getting penalties. With the faceoff in the offensive zone, Winkler managed to win the draw, work the puck in the zone and then drive the net, knotting the game 2-2 thanks to Connor Vandal, with Joshua Ingram and Kane Tomsic getting assists. The two teams went into the intermission deadlocked 2-2. Shots were listed 27-12 for the Flyers, but the period overall felt more even. Third period Early in the final frame, the Flyers forecheck produced some running around, which then allowed Noah Stott to get loose in front and bury the goal to give the home side a 3-2 lead. Connor Rieger and Dustin Bell had the helpers. The lead would grow a few minutes later, when the Flyers crashed the crease, working a loose puck behind Shields for a 4-2 lead. Scissons was given credit for the goal, with Sullivan and Seth Quayle also getting assists. Whytrychowski would get Stienbach back to within a goal, as the hulking forward converted on a broken play in the Flyers' defensive zone, notching his second of the game to bring it to 4-3. Ross and Jevon Peters picked up assists. A bang-and-crash shift for the Flyers would put them back up by two, as a loose puck went from behind the net to out in front, right on the stick of Mason Froese, who displayed some slick hands, going right upstairs from in tight, putting Winkler up 5-3. James Nicholls and Belanger picked up assists. Tempers flared as both sides pushed the buttons of the other, as various scuffles and dustups kept boiling up. The score would hold until the final horn, with Winkler picking up the 5-3 win. Stats Both teams had chances on the power play, with Winkler going 1-6 and the Pistons finishing 1-4. Shots ended 46-18 for the Flyers. Up next Steinbach and Winkler are right back at it on Saturday night, but the scene will shift to the Southeast Event Centre. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m.