The Winkler Flyers came into the week just two wins away from claiming the Manitoba Junior Hockey League title.
They gained the upper hand by first edging Steinbach 2-1 Friday in Niverville in game one then coming out on top 3-1 in game two in Winkler Sunday.
The Flyers scored twice late in the second period to draw first blood in game one, and they then held off a late charge from Steinbach after the Pistons got on the board with 2:28 left in regulation time.
Isaiah Peters and Trent Penner scored for Winkler, while Malachi Klassen made 32 saves with Winkler holding a 40-33 edge in shots on goal.
Brody Beauchemin scored shorthanded in the second period of game two, and it proved to be the game winning goal for the Flyers.
Kirk Mullen and Lucas Enns also scored for Winkler, while Malachi Klassen turned aside 30 shots with Steinbach holding a 31-29 edge in shots on goal.
The top two teams in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League had seemingly been on a collision course the entire season with the Pistons and Flyers having split their season series.
The best of seven Turnbull Cup series continued with game three back in Niverville Tuesday with the result not available at press time. Game four was set for Friday here in Winkler. If the series was to go the distance, Steinbach would host game five Sunday with game six in Winkler next Tuesday and game seven back east next Thursday.
